Individuality in Biology

Ruey-Lin Chen (National Chung Cheng University)
"What is a gene?" is an important philosophical question that has been asked over and over. This paper approaches this question by understanding it as the individuation problem of genes, because it implies the problem of identifying genes and identifying a gene presupposes individuating the gene. I argue that there are at least two levels of the individuation of genes. The transgenic technique can individuate "a gene" as an individual while the technique of gene mapping in classical genetics can only individuate "a gene" as a type or a kind. The two levels of individuation involve different techniques, different targets that are individuated, and different references of the term "gene".

Sinan Sencan (University of Calgary)
This article focuses on recent discussions about holobionts and evolutionary individuality to evaluate the merits of integrative pluralism. I argue that integrative pluralism is the wrong approach to take when it comes to holobiont research. Because integrative pluralism is not liberal enough to accommodate both single-species and multi-species individuals. I conclude by suggesting two points. First, a pluralistic view helps us better understand holobiont research. Second, the case of holobionts helps us develop a better account of scientific pluralism.

Daniel Molter (University of Utah)
This paper argues that a plant together with the symbiotic fungus attached to its roots (a mycorrhizal collective) functions as one evolutionary individual, regardless of whether the symbionts reproduce together as a unit or propagate independently. I first show that a mycorrhizal collective functions as an interactor according to David Hull's replicator-interactor model of evolution by natural selection. I next argue that the potential to engage in pseudo-vertical transmission is sufficient to make a mycorrhizal collective function as a reproducing Darwinian individual, according to Peter Godfrey-Smith's Darwinian Populations model of evolution by natural selection.