Just because it works: a response to comments on “On the Mapping of Genotype to Phenotype in Evolutionary Algorithms”

Abstract

This response examines the context and implications of the comments to "On the Mapping of Genotype to Phenotype in Evolutionary Algorithms" that appears in this journal. The notion of metaphor is first considered and then the general themes of the commentaries addressed. The response subsequently focuses on representation and operators, noting that many of the comments support our basic premise. The main conclusion is that Sterelny's conditions do form a suitable basis for representation and operator design and that the collection of responses form an excellent basis for further discussion and research in evolutionary computation.