Published: 2018-02-13

Metascientific context of the “missing link” problem

Michał Jakub Wagner
Studia Philosophiae Christianae
Section: Papers
https://doi.org/10.21697/2016.52.2.07

Abstract

The main theme of this work is the issue of transitional forms of biological evolution in its most well-known version, i.e., the problem of “missing link.” This problem frequently appeared in the deliberations of early Darwinists, but has been completely abandoned by modern evolutionists. The disappearance of the missing link issue from modern biology is often explained by the fact that the long-sought transitional forms have been found. Also this problem is considered to be unimportant, because it emerged as a consequence of the influence of various non-scientific factors. The aim of this study is to identify the causes that led to the change in the perception of the missing link problem. Particular attention is paid to the relationship between taxonomy and the way in which the problem in question was perceived. The philosophical theory of Paul Feyerabend serve to show how this relationship affected the missing link problem.

Keywords:

taxonomy, cladistics, PhyloCode, Darwinism, neo-Darwinism, creationism, Linneus, missing link, Feyerabend Paul, incommensurability, nominalism, essentialism

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Wagner, M. J. (2018). Metascientific context of the “missing link” problem. Studia Philosophiae Christianae, 52(2), 131–153. https://doi.org/10.21697/2016.52.2.07

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