| Thinking about Life: The History and Philosophy of Biology and Other Sciences Contributor(s): Agutter, Paul S. (Author), Wheatley, Denys N. (Author) |
|
 |
ISBN: 9048180104 ISBN-13: 9789048180103 Publisher: Springer OUR PRICE: $52.24 Product Type: Paperback - Other Formats Published: October 2010 |
| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - Philosophy | Mind & Body - Science | History - Science | Philosophy & Social Aspects |
| Dewey: 501 |
| Physical Information: 0.6" H x 6.14" W x 9.21" (0.88 lbs) 267 pages |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher Description: Our previous book, About Life, concerned modern biology. We used our present-day understanding of cells to 'define' the living state, providing a basis for exploring several general-interest topics: the origin of life, extraterrestrial life, intelligence, and the possibility that humans are unique. The ideas we proposed in About Life were intended as starting-points for debate - we did not claim them as 'truth' - but the information on which they were based is currently accepted as 'scientific fact'. What does that mean? What is 'scientific fact' and why is it accepted? What is science - and is biology like other sciences such as physics (except in subject m- ter)? The book you are now reading investigates these questions - and some related ones. Like About Life, it may particularly interest a reader who wishes to change career to biology and its related subdisciplines. In line with a recommendation by the British Association for the Advancement of Science - that the public should be given fuller information about the nature of science - we present the concepts underpinning biology and a survey of its historical and philosophical basis. |