Evolutionary biology : conceptual, ethical, and religious issues / edited by R. Paul Thompson and Denis Walsh.

ISBN:

9781139870849

9781139208796

9781139862998

Title:

Evolutionary biology : conceptual, ethical, and religious issues / edited by R. Paul Thompson and Denis Walsh.

Author:

Thompson, R. Paul, 1947- editor.

Physical Description:

1 online resource

Contents:

Human evolution : whence and whither? / Francisco Ayala -- Evolutionary theory, causal completeness, and theism : the case of "guided" mutation / Elliott Sober -- Religion, truth, and progress / Philip Kitcher -- Consilience, historicity, and the species problem / Marc Ereshefsky -- DNA barcoding and taxonomic practice / David Castle -- Darwin's theory and the value of mathematical formalization / R. Paul Thompson -- Population genetics, economic theory, and eugenics in R.A. Fisher / Jean Gayon -- Exploring development and evolution on the tangled bank / Jane Maienschein and Manfred Laubichler -- Darwin's cyclopean architect / John Beatty -- Function and teleology / Denis Walsh -- How physics fakes design / Alex Rosenberg.

Local Note:

eBooks on EBSCOhost

Added Author:

Thompson, R. Paul, 1947-

Format:

Electronic Resources

Electronic Access:

http://ezproxy.angliss.edu.au/login?url=http://ezproxy.angliss.edu.au/login?direct=true&scope=site&db=nlebk&AN=696308

Publication Date:

2014

Publication Information:

New York :

Cambridge University Press,

2014.

Available:*

Shelf Number	Material Type	Copy	Shelf Location	Status
576.8 23	1:E-BOOK	1	1:ONLINE	Searching... Unknown

Bound With These Titles

On Order

Summary

Evolution - both the fact that it occurred and the theory describing the mechanisms by which it occurred - is an intrinsic and central component in modern biology. Theodosius Dobzhansky captures this well in the much-quoted title of his 1973 paper 'Nothing in biology makes sense except in the light of evolution'. The correctness of this assertion is even more obvious today: philosophers of biology and biologists agree that the fact of evolution is undeniable and that the theory of evolution explains that fact. Such a theory has far-reaching implications. In this volume, eleven distinguished scholars address the conceptual, metaphysical and epistemological richness of the theory and its ethical and religious impact, exploring topics including DNA barcoding, three grand challenges of human evolution, functionalism, historicity, design, evolution and development, and religion and secular humanism. The volume will be of great interest to those studying philosophy of biology and evolutionary biology.

Reviews (1)

Choice Review

One can argue that the history of the philosophy of biology began with the works of Aristotle (384-322 BCE) but emerged as a unique academic discipline with the publication of Michael Ruse's Philosophy of Biology in 1973. That same year, Theodosius Dobzhansky published an essay with the much-quoted title "Nothing in Biology Makes Sense Except in the Light of Evolution." Thompson and Walsh (both, Univ. of Toronto) have assembled essays from 11 distinguished scholars, many of whom have a professional and/or personal relationship with Ruse. The topics range from the theoretical to the metaphysical, but all address contemporary challenges to biologists' understanding of the main thesis of Dobzhansky's paper. Chapters such as "Religion, Truth, and Progress" have the potential to conjure up impressions of philosophical conflict, but the epistemological context of the book is centered on conciliatory and convergent themes. The text will appeal broadly to scholars of the philosophy of biology and evolutionary theory, but readers will need strong philosophical and scientific backgrounds to fully appreciate some of the more advanced topics covered by the authors. The text is fully indexed and replete with references. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates and above. --James A. Hewlett, Finger Lakes Community College