Making Sense of Evolution: The Conceptual Foundations of Evolutionary Biology Contributor(s): Pigliucci, Massimo (Author), Kaplan, Jonathan (Author) |
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ISBN: 0226668371 ISBN-13: 9780226668376 Publisher: University of Chicago Press OUR PRICE: $39.60 Product Type: Paperback - Other Formats Published: November 2006 Annotation: "Making Sense of Evolution "explores contemporary evolutionary biology, focusing on the elements of theories--selection, adaptation, and species--that are complex and open to multiple possible interpretations, many of which are incompatible with one another and with other accepted practices in the discipline. Particular experimental methods, for example, may demand one understanding of "selection, " while the application of the same concept to another area of evolutionary biology could necessitate a very different definition. Spotlighting these conceptual difficulties and presenting alternate theoretical interpretations that alleviate this incompatibility, Massimo Pigliucci and Jonathan Kaplan intertwine scientific and philosophical analysis to produce a coherent picture of evolutionary biology. Innovative and controversial, "Making Sense of Evolution" encourages further development of the Modern Synthesis and outlines what might be necessary for the continued refinement of this evolving field.
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Additional Information |
BISAC Categories: - Science | Life Sciences - Evolution - Science | Philosophy & Social Aspects |
Dewey: 576.8 |
LCCN: 2006011168 |
Physical Information: 0.64" H x 6" W x 9.02" (0.91 lbs) 236 pages |
Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
Publisher Description: Making Sense of Evolution explores contemporary evolutionary biology, focusing on the elements of theories--selection, adaptation, and species--that are complex and open to multiple possible interpretations, many of which are incompatible with one another and with other accepted practices in the discipline. Particular experimental methods, for example, may demand one understanding of "selection," while the application of the same concept to another area of evolutionary biology could necessitate a very different definition. Spotlighting these conceptual difficulties and presenting alternate theoretical interpretations that alleviate this incompatibility, Massimo Pigliucci and Jonathan Kaplan intertwine scientific and philosophical analysis to produce a coherent picture of evolutionary biology. Innovative and controversial, Making Sense of Evolution encourages further development of the Modern Synthesis and outlines what might be necessary for the continued refinement of this evolving field. |
Contributor Bio(s): Pigliucci, Massimo: - Massimo Pigliucci is the K. D. Irani Professor of Philosophy at the City College of New York. He is the author of many books, including, most recently, How to Be a Stoic: Using Ancient Philosophy to Live a Modern Life. |