Workshop of Ideas in Neuroscience

Evolutionary explanations in neuroscience

Heidelberg, December 4-5 2025

We all know that evolution is important. The line “Nothing in biology makes sense except in the light of evolution” is one of the most worn-out clichés of our trade. The field of naturalistic neuroscience strongly emphasizes the need to take the evolutionary past into account, and we are often reminded of Tinbergen’s ultimate questions about the history of behavior and its adaptive role.

And yet, in neuroscientific papers, any discussion of evolution is often reduced to another cliché: “Behavior X is crucial for survival.” Period.

The goal of this workshop is to take a closer, critical look at evolutionary discourse in neuroscience. We will discuss the different ways we write and talk about evolution, and how we frame our results in an evolutionary context. We will reflect on the limitations of current frameworks and explore ways to improve them. We will also take a broader perspective and consider how our narratives are received and interpreted by wider audiences—and what consequences this has.

The workshop will consist of short talks, discussions, and group tasks, during which we will work together to develop a methodological guide to help us navigate this challenging landscape.

The questions we would like to explore together include:

  • How do neuroscientists talk about evolution?
  • How are evolutionary explanations formulated in different fields of neuroscience?
  • When are they useful, and when do they just turn into clichés?
  • What are the most meaningful ways of approaching this subject?
  • How are evolutionary explanations of behavior understood by public audiences?
  • What can we learn from evolutionary biology?

This workshop will be held in the spirit of our Schools of Ideas—with an informal atmosphere and an open exchange of thoughts and perspectives.

Instructors:

  • Jules Duruz (COS, Heidelberg University)
  • Mateusz Kostecki (Heidelberg University)

Participation is free of charge. You can find theapplication form HERE.
Application deadline: October 12 th.