The Theory of Natural Selection and the Evolutionary Origin of the Faculty of Language within Generativism

摘要

The current debate about the evolution of language within linguistic generativism primarily deals with the intended explanatory scope of the theory of natural selection. This discussion has generated numerous misinterpretations regarding conceptual issues, what makes an explication necessary. This contribution, metatheoretical in nature, means to partially satisfy this desideratum considering how the multiplicity of adaptationist hypotheses affects the controversy. Furthermore, we show the connection between how the faculty of language is characterized as explanandum of diverse theoretical perspective, and the explanative approach the parts in the debate are willing to accept.