Biological Theory

Our cover for 2024 features Rythme n^o 1, décoration pour le Salon des Tuileries (1938, 529 x 592 cm, oil on canvas) by French artist Robert Delaunay (1885–1941), an early key figure in the development of abstract art. The painting was one of several large canvases commissioned for the Salon des Tuileries exhibition. Delaunay’s work, marked by the use of brilliant colors and geometric forms, reflects his studies and experimentation with color theory. He wrote about contrasting color and the use of light, and explored the possibilities of color to convey an illusion of movement, as part of the Orphic Cubism art movement he co-founded.

The Konrad Lorenz Institute for Evolution and Cognition Research (KLI) is an independent center of advanced studies in the life and sustainability sciences. The mission of the KLI is to enable scientific reasoning that can contribute to understanding and sustaining life in its biological, cognitive, social, and cultural diversity. The KLI is committed to contribute by addressing pressing challenges of our time through inter and transdisciplinary research. Especially, we believe that theories are crucial to: give meaning to data, connect ideas, facilitate dialogue, stimulate learning, inform new research, and inspire action.

The KLI supports conceptual and formal research as well as philosophical and historical work that addresses broad and interrelated questions about life. It does not put disciplinary boundaries to creativity and welcomes proposals engaging with these questions from the natural and social sciences as well as from philosophy, history and social studies thereof.

The KLI has founded Biological Theory and decides about the Editorial leadership. The Editor in Chief makes content decisions independent of the KLI.

 The KLI also publishes the book series Vienna Series in Theoretical Biology with MITPress

The journal Biological Theory is piloting a new section titled “Critical Concepts in Biological Theory.” This section will address fundamental concepts in evolutionary and developmental biology by presenting concise perspectives without side-stepping controversies or disagreements where they exist. Where appropriate, the essays would connect theory building to experimental research.

The KLI has an open position for a group leader in philosophy of biology or theoretical biology, as well as two open calls for writing-up fellowships for late-stage PhD students in evolutionary or developmental biology and evolutionary medicine. 

To read more, please click here

For more information on all open calls: https://www.kli.ac.at/content/en/the_kli/open_calls