On Fodor on Darwin on Evolution

TL;DR

This paper defends Darwin's theory of natural selection against Fodor's critique, arguing that natural selection is a valid scientific explanation and that Darwin's analogy with artificial selection remains appropriate.

Contribution

It provides a counter-argument to Fodor's critique, reaffirming the scientific validity of natural selection and clarifying misconceptions about its nature.

Findings

Natural selection is not merely a tautology.

Artificial selection analogy remains valid.

Evolutionary explanations are scientifically robust.

Abstract

Jerry Fodor argues that Darwin was wrong about "natural selection" because (1) it is only a tautology rather than a scientific law that can support counterfactuals ("If X had happened, Y would have happened") and because (2) only minds can select. Hence Darwin's analogy with "artificial selection" by animal breeders was misleading and evolutionary explanation is nothing but post-hoc historical narrative. I argue that Darwin was right on all counts.