Journal profile · HISTORY & PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE
Biological Theory
ISSN 1555-5542 · eISSN 1555-5550 · Springer Nature
Biological Theory: CAS Zone 2 · Philosophy (2025 upgraded edition); impact factor 2 (journal website); hybrid open access; APC about USD 3,290; median 227 days to acceptance (71 articles, last 24 months); 36 articles in 2025; indexed in ESCI and Scopus.
Scope
Aims, scope and focus
Biological Theory is published by Springer Nature and is in Zone 2 of Philosophy in the CAS Journal Ranking (2025 upgraded edition). By OpenAlex counts of its recent articles, its largest topics are Evolutionary Game Theory and Cooperation, Philosophy and History of Science and Evolution and Genetic Dynamics, together about 42% of its articles. (generated from OpenAlex topic counts and CAS ranking data)
Biological Theory is devoted to theoretical advances in the fields of evolution and cognition with an emphasis on the conceptual integration afforded by evolutionary and developmental approaches. The journal appeals to a wide audience of scientists, social scientists, and scholars from the humanities, particularly philosophers and historians of biology. Read more about the journal owner Konrad Lorenz Institute for Evolution and Cognition Research (KLI): https://www.springer.com/journal/13752/updates/18907526 Articles are single anonymous reviewed by independent international reviewers. Read more about the journal Editorial Policies: https://www.springer.com/journal/13752/updates/18906232 Follow us on Bluesky: @biologicaltheory.bsky.social Editor-in-Chief Kevin Lala PhD View all editors
From the journal's Aims & Scope
Research area (LetPub): HISTORY & PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE
Editor-in-chief Kevin LalaPublisher website
Main research topics OpenAlex counts of recent articles; shares are approximate
- Evolutionary Game Theory and CooperationSocial Sciences17.5%
- Philosophy and History of ScienceArts and Humanities17.2%
- Evolution and Genetic DynamicsBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology7.3%
- Language and cultural evolutionSocial Sciences7.3%
- Origins and Evolution of LifePhysics and Astronomy7%
- Gene Regulatory Network AnalysisBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology4.6%
- Evolution and Science EducationArts and Humanities4.2%
- Plant and animal studiesAgricultural and Biological Sciences3.4%
Rankings & indexing
CAS ranking and database indexing
CAS Journal Ranking
CAS Journal Ranking, upgraded edition (March 2025)Philosophy Zone 2
| Level | Category | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Philosophy | Zone 2 |
| Minor | History & Philosophy Of Science | Zone 2 |
Top journal: noReview journal: no
CAS Xinrui Journal Ranking (March 2026)Philosophy Zone 1
| Level | Category | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Philosophy | Zone 1 |
| Minor | History & Philosophy Of Science | Zone 2 |
Top journal: yesReview journal: not marked
CAS Journal Ranking, previous upgraded edition (December 2023)Not covered
Not covered by this edition.
Database indexing
ESCIScopusLetPub
International journal early-warning lists: not listed in any editionLetPub
Indexing the journal's website claims
Google Scholar, EBSCO, ProQuest, Dimensions, CNKI, Baidu, Naver, OCLC, Portico, CLOCKSSPublisher website
As the journal's website lists them, not checked against each database; for Web of Science editions the records above apply.
Editions, and major and minor categories, are shown separately and never merged into one zone; check which edition your institution uses before you submit or report.
Metrics
Impact metrics and publication volume
Impact
- Impact factor (publisher) 2025
- 2Publisher website ·
- CiteScore 2026-06
- 4.4LetPub ·
- SJR 2026-06
- 0.66LetPub ·
- SNIP 2026-06
- 0.91LetPub ·
- h-index
- 54OpenAlex ·
- i10-index
- 324OpenAlex ·
- 2-year mean citedness
- 2.1OpenAlex ·
- Self-citation rate
- 5%LetPub ·
- Share of gold OA articles
- 60.23%LetPub ·
Volume
- Articles per year
- 33LetPub ·
- Downloads per year (publisher) 2025
- 214,700Publisher website ·
Articles by year OpenAlex count · 867 in total · the current year is incomplete
| Year | Articles | Open access | Citations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 33 | 23 | 11 |
| 2025 | 36 | 26 | 99 |
| 2024 | 31 | 27 | 100 |
| 2023 | 32 | 22 | 220 |
| 2022 | 29 | 19 | 241 |
| 2021 | 27 | 19 | 265 |
Sources count differently and were observed at different times, so each source's own value is kept; "publisher" marks figures from the journal's website.
Review & acceptance
Review time and acceptance
Review time from article dates manuscript dates registered with Crossref · to
227 daysMedian, submission to acceptance · P25–P75 169 days – 289 days
- Acceptance to online
- median 34 days (74 articles)
- Submission to online
- median 268 days
- Sample
- 71 articles with submission and acceptance dates (79 in the window); the latest was accepted on
Only articles that were accepted and published are counted, not the time spent on rejected manuscripts, so this usually runs longer than a publisher's "time to first decision".
Other sources
- Submission to first decision
- 9 daysPublisher website ·
- Peer review
- Single anonymous peer review, Double anonymous peer reviewPublisher website
Community reports come from authors' own submissions (confidence 0.5) and are not a promise from the journal; for publisher figures, the journal's own definitions apply.
Fees & open access
APC and open-access policy
Hybrid open accessLetPub
A subscription journal in which authors can pay to publish their article open access.
| Source | APC | Fee waiver | License | Observed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OpenAlex | USD 3,290 / EUR 2,690 / GBP 2,390 | — | — |
A hybrid journal charges the APC only when the author chooses open access; publishing under the subscription model is usually free.
The journal's website is authoritative for fees; sources were observed at different times and each keeps its own value, without averaging.
Submission
Article types and submission policies (journal website)
What to prepare7 items from the author guidelines
- Abstract
- 150–250 words
- Keywords
- ≥ 4
- Manuscript length
- ≤ 7,000 words
- Reference style
- Author–date
- First submission
- Free format: the journal's layout is not required
- Suggested reviewers
- Optional
- Cover letter
- Required
Article types accepted17, with length limits
- book reviewA book review provides an overview of a recently published book of particular significance within evolutionary and developmental biology or cognitive science. I…main text ≤ 3,000 words
- book reviewsA book review provides an overview of a recently published book of particular significance within evolutionary and developmental biology or cognitive science. I…Length not stated
- classics in biological theoryEssays highlighting the continued relevance of key papers from the past for current research in biology (with the original paper published as supplementary mate…Length not stated
- commentaryup to 3,000 words). Target article with commentaries Original article of unusual significance (up to 7,000 words) published with up to three commentaries from i…main text ≤ 7,000 words
- critical concepts in biological theoryArticles providing a concise summary of a fundamental concept in biology, acknowledging controversies and disagreements (up to 3,000 words).Length not stated
- editorialDear Biological Theory authors, In recent months, Biological Theory has experienced a substantial increase in manuscript submissions. To ensure that we can main…Length not stated
- historical essaysA historical essay uses historical evidence and analysis to shed light on a specific question related to past biological research (up to 7,000 words).Length not stated
- original articleOriginal articles report novel research in evolutionary and developmental biology or cognitive science, with a particular focus on the theory and philosophy of …main text ≤ 7,000 words
- original articlesOriginal articles report novel research in evolutionary and developmental biology or cognitive science, with a particular focus on the theory and philosophy of …Length not stated
- original paperr current research in biology (with the original paper published as supplementary material and translated into English where required) (up to 3,000 words). Arti…main text ≤ 3,000 words
- perspectiveAn opinion piece is a short personal work that offers a new perspective on a research-related topic on the theory and philosophy of biology, designed to stimula…main text ≤ 5,000 words
- perspectivesAn opinion piece is a short personal work that offers a new perspective on a research-related topic on the theory and philosophy of biology, designed to stimula…Length not stated
- reviewe debate rather than present a balanced review (up to 5,000 words). Historical essays A historical essay uses historical evidmain text ≤ 5,000 words
- review articleReviews summarize, synthesize, and critically evaluate existing research on a specific topic in evolutionary and developmental biology, or cognitive science, pr…main text ≤ 7,000 words
- review articlesReviews summarize, synthesize, and critically evaluate existing research on a specific topic in evolutionary and developmental biology, or cognitive science, pr…Length not stated
- target article with commentariesOriginal article of unusual significance (up to 7,000 words) published with up to three commentaries from independent experts (1,000-2,000 words) and a reply fr…Length not stated
- thematic issues and thematic sectionsA collection of original articles on the same topic concerning research into the theory and philosophy of biology and cognition, handled by one or more guest ed…Length not stated
Policy excerpts from the journal's websiteAI use, Authorship, Conflicts of interest, Data availability, Publication ethics, License & copyright, Open access, Peer review
- AI use Generative AI Images
LLMs do not satisfy authorship criteria; LLM use must be documented in the Methods section (or suitable alternative part); AI-assisted copy editing need not be declared. Model summary
Please check Springer’s policy on generative AI images and make sure your work adheres to the principles described therein. Back to top
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Authorship Authorship principles
These guidelines describe authorship principles and good authorship practices to which prospective authors should adhere to. Authorship clarified The Journal and Publisher assume all authors agreed with the content and that all gave explicit consent to submit and that they obtained consent from the responsible authorities at the institute/organization where the work has been carried out, before th…
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Conflicts of interest Disclosures and declarations
All authors are requested to include information regarding sources of funding, financial or non-financial interests, study-specific approval by the appropriate ethics committee for research involving humans and/or animals, informed consent if the research involved human participants, and a statement on welfare of animals if the research involved animals (as appropriate). The decision whether such …
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Data availability
Data transparency: authors should ensure data, materials, software and code support published claims and comply with field standards; journals may have individual research data sharing policies. Model summary
All authors are requested to make sure that all data and materials as well as software application or custom code support their published claims and comply with field standards. Please note that journals may have individual policies on (sharing) research data in concordance with disciplinary norms and expectations.
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Publication ethics Compliance with Ethical Standards
Journal is a COPE member and follows COPE guidelines for handling misconduct; authors must not misrepresent research results. Model summary
To ensure objectivity and transparency in research and to ensure that accepted principles of ethical and professional conduct have been followed, authors should include information regarding sources of funding, potential conflicts of interest (financial or non-financial), informed consent if the research involved human participants, and a statement on welfare of animals if the research involved an…
Source ↗Publisher website ·- License & copyright Copyright
Open Choice articles do not require transfer of copyright as the copyright remains with the author. In opting for open access, the author(s) agree to publish the article under a Creative Commons license. Details of the OA licences offered to authors can be found on the individual journal website, in the journal's How to publish with us guide. Back to top
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Open access Open access publishing
Open Choice (open access) articles retain copyright with the author and are published under a Creative Commons license. Model summary
To find out more about publishing your work Open Access in Biological Theory, including information on fees, funding and licences, visit our Open access publishing page. Back to top
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Peer review
Authors may suggest suitable reviewers and/or request exclusion of certain individuals at submission. Model summary
Authors are welcome to suggest suitable reviewers and/or request the exclusion of certain individuals when they submit their manuscripts.
Source ↗Publisher website ·
Excerpts are quoted from the journal's website; "model summary" lines are written by Workers AI and checked against the text. The journal's website is authoritative.
Profile
Publication details and official links
- Publisher
- Springer Nature
- ISSN
- 1555-5542
- Electronic ISSN
- 1555-5550
- Latest issue on the website
- Volume 21, Issue 2 (June 2026)
- Official links
- Journal homepage ↗OpenAlex
- Submission system ↗Publisher website
- Special issues ↗Publisher website
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Biological Theory
What CAS zone is Biological Theory in?
In the 2025 upgraded edition of the CAS Journal Ranking, Biological Theory is in Zone 2 of Philosophy, and in Zone 2 of the minor category History & Philosophy Of Science. In the 2026 Xinrui edition it is in Zone 1 of Philosophy. Zones from different editions, and from major and minor categories, are not interchangeable.
What is the impact factor of Biological Theory?
The journal's website gives an impact factor of 2 (2025); this is the journal's own figure, as LetPub lists none for it; CiteScore 4.4, h-index 54.
How long does peer review take at Biological Theory?
Based on the dates recorded on 71 articles published between October 2024 and October 2026 (the last 24 months), the median time from submission to acceptance is 227 days (interquartile range 169–289 days). Article statistics cover accepted papers only, publisher figures follow the journal's own definitions, and community reports come from authors' own submissions; none is a promise from the journal.
What are the manuscript requirements of Biological Theory?
According to the journal's author guidelines: Abstract: 150–250 words; Keywords: ≥ 4; Manuscript length: ≤ 7,000 words; Reference style: Author–date; First submission: Free format: the journal's layout is not required; Suggested reviewers: Optional; Cover letter: Required. A model extracted these from the author guidelines and each was checked against the text; check the latest version on the journal's website before submitting.
Which databases index Biological Theory?
According to LetPub and DOAJ records, Biological Theory is indexed in ESCI and Scopus.
Is Biological Theory open access, and what is the APC?
Biological Theory is a hybrid journal. For open-access publication: APC about USD 3,290.
Sources and updates
The facts on this page come from LetPub, OpenAlex, Publisher website; every figure is tagged with its source and the date it was observed, and conflicting values are kept per source. LetPub source page: view ↗ (archived 2026-08-26). Last updated: .