West Eberhard and the notion of plasticity: Implications and consequences for an extended synthesis of evolution

International audienceThe biologist Mary Jane West-Eberhard publishes, in 2003, a book, entitled Developmental Plasticity and Evolution, in which a new synthetic approach, integrating development with evolution, is offered. For this reason, the book is seen as a piece of work in the field of Evolutionary developmental biology, commonly known as Evo Devo, whose aim is to synthesize data from both development and evolution. However, West-Eberhard's ambition is much higher in this book because she does not only focus on gathering the data from both fields, but she also wants to formalize a new synthetic theory of evolution, which includes development in its definition. She also explains that, in order to provide such a synthetic theory of evolution, she needs to offer an "inclusive definition of plasticity" in order to avoid "unnecessary distinctions at every turn" even if she assumes that such distinctions may be important for certain points. Our aim, in this article, is to explore the implications and consequences of West-Eberhard's "inclusive definition of plasticity" in such an attempt of a new synthesis of evolutionary theory, including development

De la nature plastique aux natures plastiques: retour sur les usages du concept dans la philosophie de la nature des XVIIe et XVIIIe siècles

National audienceLa plasticité est un concept opératoire dans la biologie contemporaine. Une enquête sur l'émergence de ce terme et sur son évolution dans la philosophie de la nature des XVIIe et XVIIIe siècles révèle qu'il n'est ni l'apanage, ni une invention contemporaine des biologistes. L'objet de cet article est d'analyser le passage du singulier de « la nature plastique», chez les néo-platoniciens, au pluriel « des natures plastiques», chez Leibniz. Une telle analyse permet de révéler certains enjeux du débat contemporain

Epigenetics, Responsiveness and Embodiment

This short paper comments on the connections between epigenetics, responsiveness and embodiment. Epigenetics has solidified a new conception of DNA as “responsive,” and rightfully so. Yet, the discussion too easily falls back to metaphors of agency and can show a tendency to see responsiveness and embodiment as based on epigenetics, which is shown to be wrong

The Boundaries of Development

International audienceThis special issue of Biological Theory is focused on development; it raises the problem of the temporal and spatial boundaries of development. From a temporal point of view, when does development start and stop? From a spatial point of view, what is it exactly that "develops", and is it possible to delineate clearly the developing entity? This issue explores the possible answers to these questions, and thus sheds light on the definition of development itself

Defining the Boundaries of Development wih Plasticity

International audienceThe concept of plasticity has always been present in the history of developmental biology, both within the theory of epigenesis and within morphogenesis studies. However this tradition relies also upon a genetic conception of plasticity. Founded upon the concepts of "phenotypic plasticity" and "reaction norm," this genetic conception focuses on the array of possible phenotypic change in relation to diversified environments. Another concept of plasticity can be found in recent publications by some developmental biologists (Gilbert, West-Eberhard). I argue that these authors adopt a "broad conception of plasticity" that is closely related to a notion of development as something that is ongoing throughout an organism's lifecycle, and has no clear-cut boundaries. However, I suggest that given a narrow conception of plasticity, one can define temporal boundaries for development that are linked to specific features of the morphological process, which are different from behavioral and physiological processes

West-Eberhard and the notion of plasticity: Implications and consequences for an extended synthesis of evolution (Proceedings of the CAPE International Workshops, 2012. Part I: IHPST, Paris - CAPE, Kyoto philosophy of biology workshop)

November 4th-5th, 2012 at Kyoto University. Organizers: Hisashi Nakao & Pierre-Alain Braillar

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