Abstract

Probability concept is indispensable to evolutionary theory, particularly to mathematical models of population genetics. Recently philosophers of biology have discussed the meaning of probability concept in evolutionary theory. Most discussions are based on the assumption that evolutionary theory can be reduced to a fundamental physical theory, either classical or quantum mechanics. I will criticize the reductionists' arguments and show that evolutionary theory can't be reduced to particular fundamental physical theories. Instead, using the concept of coarse graining, a basic theoretical tool in statistical mechanics, I can explain the true relation between evolutionary theory and fundamental physical theories.