Can Scientific Change Be Darwinian? | Derek Turner

*Could scientific change work something like biological evolution?* Derek Turner explores an evolutionary analogy in which science can be viewed as a population of hypotheses and theories subjected to selection pressure, while asking whether gradual change and paradigm shifts resemble patterns found in biological evolution. 0:00 Evolutionary Theory and Cultural Change 1:01 Scientific Change Along Darwinian Lines 1:54 Science as a Population of Hypotheses 3:02 Gradual Change and Punctuated Equilibrium 4:20 The Problem of Scale in Paradigm Shifts *Derek Turner* is the Class of '43 Professor of Philosophy and Director of the Goodwin-Niering Center for the Environment at Connecticut College. A recipient of both the John S. King Teaching Award and the Nisbet Rash Research Award, his work focuses on the philosophy of paleontology, macroevolution, and deep time. He is the author of _Paleontology: A Philosophical Introduction_ and _Paleoaesthetics and the Practice of Paleontology,_ as well as a co-founder of the philosophy of paleontology blog _Extinct._ *More from Derek Turner on Closer To Truth:* * AI & Transhumanism: Consciousness & Virtual Immortality: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFJr3pJl27pLBykRIT50N-7muyq8MCPgP * Closer To Truth contributors: https://closertotruth.com/contributor/derek-turner/ *Subscribe to Closer To Truth:* https://www.youtube.com/@CloserToTruthTV *Join the Community:* * Membership (5,000+ videos): https://closertotruth.com/register/ * Audio Podcast: https://closertotruth.podbean.com * Support the Show: https://closertotruth.com/donate/ * Official Merchandise: https://www.bonfire.com/store/closertotruth/ *Follow Us:* * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CloserToTruthTV/ * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/closertotruth/ * X: https://twitter.com/CloserToTruth Closer To Truth, hosted by Robert Lawrence Kuhn and directed by Peter Getzels, presents the world’s greatest thinkers exploring humanity’s deepest questions. Discover fundam