Aaron Novick (University of Pittsburgh)
Evolutionary-developmental biology (evo-devo) is often claimed to mark a return of typological thinking to evolutionary biology, in part due to its emphasis on deep conservation of body plans. I argue that the basis of evo-devo's explanation of deep conservation is not typological thinking but Cuvieran functionalism. I show that Cuvieran functionalism complements rather than conflicts with mainstream evolutionary theorizing.
