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Biological Individuality – A Complex Pattern of Distributed Uniqueness

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The Extended Theory of Cognitive Creativity

Part of the book series: Perspectives in Pragmatics, Philosophy & Psychology ((PEPRPHPS,volume 23))

Abstract

None of the concepts thus far advanced by biologists or philosophers of life covers in a satisfactory way all instances and aspects of biological individuality. Two main, only partially overlapping notions must be distinguished: physiological individuality, based on morphological or molecular attributes, and evolutionary individuality, based on the uniqueness of the role played by the individual in evolutionary processes. The three individuality criteria suggested by Pradeu (2012), i.e. uniqueness, delineation and persistence, are useful as a rough guide, but their application faces serious problems or limitations, e.g. with polygenomic organisms or polyembryonic metazoans. Persistence of individuality throughout development deserves accurate revisitation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Padova, Padova, Italy

    Alessandro Minelli

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  1. Alessandro Minelli
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Correspondence to Alessandro Minelli .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Cognitive Science, University of Messina, Messina, Italy

    Antonino Pennisi

  2. Department of Cognitive Science, Psychology, Education and Cultural Studies, University of Messina, Messina, Italy

    Alessandra Falzone

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Minelli, A. (2020). Biological Individuality – A Complex Pattern of Distributed Uniqueness. In: Pennisi, A., Falzone, A. (eds) The Extended Theory of Cognitive Creativity. Perspectives in Pragmatics, Philosophy & Psychology, vol 23. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-22090-7_12

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-22090-7_12

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