Evolution by habit: Peirce, Lamarck, and teleology in biology.

Abstract

In our paper, we analyse the relationship of the evolutionary philosophy of Charles Sanders Peirce to Lamarckian natural philosophy and link it to concepts of teleology, focusing especially on Aristotelian and Peircean conceptions of the final cause. Peirce commented on evolution in many of his writings, especially in 1891-1893 in essays such as 'Evolutionary Love' (1893) or 'Man's Glassy Essence' (1892). After introducing the three types of evolution distinguished by Peirce, we compare Peirce's and Lamarck's views on evolution, habit, and teleology. From a synthesis of concepts formulated by Peirce, Aristotle, nineteenth-century neo-Lamarckians, and current knowledge regarding epigenetics, there should emerge our own concept of biological teleology unburdened by panpsychism, subjective intentions, or determinism. We believe it could be a concept acceptable to current biology.