The Multi-Causal Basis of Developmental Potential Construction

In this article we analyse the issue of what accounts for developmental potential, i.e., the possible phenotypes a developing organism can manifest during ontogeny. We shall argue in favour of two theses. First, although the developing organism is the unit of development, the complete causal basis for its potential to develop does neither lie entirely in itself as a whole nor in any specific part of itself (such as its genome). Thus, the extra-organismal environment must be counted as one of the three necessary, partial and complementary causal bases for development potential. Secondly, we shall defend a constructivist view of the developmental process. If the genome, the developing organism and the extra-organismal environment are to be counted as proper elements of the causal basis for an organism's developmental potential, the latter is not a given. Rather, it is the result of an interaction-based construction, a process sometimes generating genuine developmental novelty. We will thus argue for an interactionist multi-causal basis view of developmental potential construction. We contend that our view provides a biologically tenable and metaphysically coherent account of developmental dynamics.

Automated summary

In this article, the issue of developmental potential is analyzed, referring to the possible manifestations of a developing organism during ontogeny. Two theses are proposed. Firstly, the complete causal basis for an organism's potential to develop does not solely lie within itself or in any specific part, such as its genome, but also in the extra-organismal environment. Secondly, a constructivist view of the developmental process is defended, suggesting that the developmental potential is a result of interaction-based construction and can sometimes generate genuine developmental novelty. An interactionist multi-causal basis view of developmental potential construction is argued for, providing a biologically tenable and metaphysically coherent account of developmental dynamics.