| Species: A History of the Idea Volume 1 Contributor(s): Wilkins, John S. (Author) |
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ISBN: 0520260856 ISBN-13: 9780520260856 Publisher: University of California Press OUR PRICE: $84.15 Product Type: Hardcover - Other Formats Published: September 2009 Annotation: The complex idea of "species" has evolved over time, yet its meaning is far from resolved. This comprehensive work takes a fresh look at an idea central to the field of biology by tracing its history from antiquity to today. John S. Wilkins explores the essentialist view, a staple of logic from Plato and Aristotle through the Middle Ages to fairly recent times, and considers the idea of species in natural history--a concept often connected to reproduction. Tracing "generative conceptions" of species back through Darwin to Epicurus, Wilkins provides a new perspective on the relationship between philosophical and biological approaches to this concept. He also reviews the array of current definitions. "Species" is a benchmark exploration and clarification of a concept fundamental to the past, present, and future of the natural sciences. |
| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - Science | History - Science | Life Sciences - Taxonomy - Science | Life Sciences - Evolution |
| Dewey: 578.012 |
| LCCN: 2009009184 |
| Series: Species and Systematics |
| Physical Information: 1" H x 6" W x 9" (1.40 lbs) 320 pages |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher Description: The complex idea of "species" has evolved over time, yet its meaning is far from resolved. This comprehensive work takes a fresh look at an idea central to the field of biology by tracing its history from antiquity to today. John S. Wilkins explores the essentialist view, a staple of logic from Plato and Aristotle through the Middle Ages to fairly recent times, and considers the idea of species in natural history--a concept often connected to reproduction. Tracing "generative conceptions" of species back through Darwin to Epicurus, Wilkins provides a new perspective on the relationship between philosophical and biological approaches to this concept. He also reviews the array of current definitions. Species is a benchmark exploration and clarification of a concept fundamental to the past, present, and future of the natural sciences. |