We develop a conceptual framework that connects biological heredity and organization. We refer to heredity as the cross-generation conservation of functional elements, defined as constraints subject to organizational closure. While hereditary objects are functional constituents of biological systems, any other entity that is stable across generations—and possibly involved in the recurrence of phenotypes—belongs to their environment. The central outcome of the organizational perspective consists in extending the scope of heredity beyond the genetic domain without merging it with the broad category of cross-generation stability. After discussing some implications, we conclude with a reflection on the relationship between stability and variation.

2.  From Extended Heredity to Cross-generation Stability

2.1.  Extending the scope of heredity: A brief state of the art

2.2.  Rethinking heredity: Conceptual challenges

3.  Biological Heredity in Light of Organization

3.1.  Biological organization within organisms and beyond

3.2.  Extending organization in time

3.3.  What is biological heredity?

4.  Implications and Objections

4.1.  Heredity as a specific kind of cross-generation stability

4.2.  Heredity at various levels of description

4.3.  Non-functional and dysfunctional objects

5.  Conclusions: From Conservation to Variation