Optimality Models and the Propensity Interpretation of Fitness

ROFFÉ, ARIEL JONATHAN; GINNOBILI, SANTIAGO

ACTA BIOTHEORETICA

SPRINGER

Año: 2020 vol. 68 p. 367 - 385

0001-5342

The propensity account of fitness intends to solve the classical tautologicityissue by identifying fitness with a disposition, the ability to survive and reproduce. As proponents recognized earlyon, this account requires operationalindependence from actual reproductive success to avoid circularity andvacuousness charges. They suggested that operational independence is achievedby measuring fitness values through optimality models. Our goal in this articleis to develop this suggestion. We show that one plausible procedure by whichthese independent operationalizations could be thought to take place, and whichis in accordance with what is said in the optimality literature, is unsound. Weprovide two independent lines of reasoning to show this. We then provide asketch of a more adequate account of the role of optimality models inevolutionary contexts and draw some consequences.