Philosophy of science Books
Johns Hopkins University Press Nature Revealed Selected Writings 19492006
Book SynopsisWilson aficionados, along with readers discovering his work for the first time, will find in this collection a world of beauty, complexity, and challenge.Trade ReviewShowcases the biologist's special talents for extrapolating global theories from arcane and detailed research... Enlightening and thought-provoking. Library Journal 2006 Nature Revealed demonstrates, again and again, Wilson's endless capacity to put scientific findings into a broader context and to bridge gaps between disciplines. Nature 2006 E.O. Wilson's many contributions to science can hardly be summarized in a newspaper column, but the highlights are well preserved in Nature Revealed. -- Whit Gibbons Aiken Standard 2006 This book captures the key elements in this gifted explorer's complex journey so far. Choice 2006 This book is a treasure trove of ideas... It always rewards. -- J. Stewart British Journal of Entomology and Natural History 2008 Lucid and eminently readable... a valuable primer for those interested in the history of science. Quarterly Review of Biology 2008Table of ContentsPrefacePart I: Ants and Sociobiology1. Richteri, the fire ant2. Variation and adaptation in the imported fire ant3. The origin and evolution of polymorphism in ants4. Quantitative studies of liquid food transmission in ants5. The beginnings of nomadic and group-predatory behavior in the ponerine ants6. Source and possible nature of the odor trail of fire ants7. Chemical communication among workers of the fire ant Solenopsis saevissima (Fr. Smith), 1. The organization ofmass-foraging8. Phermones9. The first Mesozoic ants10. The ergonomics of caste in the social insects11. The prospect for a unified sociobiology12. Slavery in ants13. Sociobiology: The new synthesis14. Sociobiology at century's end15. Human decency is animal16. Behavioral discretization and the number of castes in an antspecies17. The organization of colony defense in the ant Pheidole dentataMayr18. The number of queens: An important trait in ant evolution19. The ethical implications of human sociobiology20. Caste and division of labor in leaf-cutter ants21. Précis of Genes, Mind, and Culture22. The relation between caste ratios and division of labor in theant genus Pheidole23. The sociogenesis of insect colonies24. Between-caste aversion as a basis for division of labor in the ant Pheidole pubiventris25. The earliest known ants: An analysis of the Cretaceous species and an inference concerning their social organization26. The dominance of social insects27. The effects of complex social life on evolution and biodiversity28. Pheidole nasutoides, a new species of Costa Rican ant that apparently mimics termites29. In memory of William Louis Brown30. Ant plagues: A centuries-old mystery solvedPart II: Biodiversity Studies: Systematics and Biogeography31. The subspecies concept and its taxonomic application32. Character displacement33. Patchy distributions of ant species in New Guinea rain forests34. The nature of the taxon cycle in the Melanesian ant fauna35. An equilibrium theory of island biogeography36. A consistency test for phylogenies based on contemporaneous species37. The challenge from related species38. An estimate of the potential evolutionary increase in species density in the Polynesian ant fauna39. The species equilibrium40. The plight of taxonomy41. The biogeography of the West Indian ants42. Editor's foreword (from Biodiversity)43. The current state of biological diversity44. Threats to biodiversity45. The high frontier46. The origins of hyperdiversity47. A global biodiversity map48. On the future of conservation biology49. The encyclopedia of life50. Taxonomy as a fundamental disciplinePart III: Conservation and the Human Condition51. The conservation of life52. Applied biogeography53. Resolutions for the 80s54. The biological diversity crisis: A challenge to science55. Outcry from a world of wounds56. The little things that run the world57. The coming pluralization of biology and the stewardship of systematics58. Biophilia and the conservation ethic59. Is humanity suicidal?60. Consilience among the great branches of learning61. Integrated science and the coming century of the environmentAppendix: The Published Works of Edward O. WilsonIndex
£47.71
Johns Hopkins University Press Pursuing Power and Light Technology and Physics
Book SynopsisHunt translates his often-demanding material into engaging and accessible language suitable for undergraduate students of the history of science and technology.Trade ReviewHighly recommended. Choice 2010 Pursuing Power and Light is the best and most up-to-date treatment, especially for undergraduates, of the key concepts and figures of 19th-century physics. -- Robert Friedel Physics Today 2011 Essential reading both for students in engineering and the sciences and for those in HPS departments... enjoyable and very interesting reading. -- Stathis Arapostathis Metascience 2011Table of ContentsAcknowledgmentsIntroduction: A World Transformed1. Steam and Work2. Energy and Entropy3. The Kinetic Theory: Chaos and Order4. Electricity: Currents and Networks5. Electromagnetism: Ether and Field6. Electric Power and Light7. Into a New CenturyEpilogue: Einstein at the Patent OfficeSuggested Further ReadingIndex
£41.50
Johns Hopkins University Press Lawless Universe Science and the Hunt for Reality
Book SynopsisThought-provoking and controversial, Lawless Universe is a complement to, even an antidote for, books that create the misimpression that science can explain everything.Trade ReviewDr. Rosen knocks down the structure of good science and rebuilds it for the reader, brick by brick, beginning with the most basic differences between objectivity and subjectivity. And through topics that might otherwise leave readers feeling adrift-like quantum theory, metaphysics, and the anthropic principle-Dr. Rosen proves a calm, conscientious guide who sticks by the reader's side. GW Magazine/GW Today 2011Table of ContentsPreface1. Objective or Subjective: That Is the QuestionObjective and SubjectiveThe Objective Outer World: RealityOur Subjective Inner Worlds: FantasiesObjective or Subjective?Objective TruthSubjective TruthLogical TruthDealing with the SubjectiveDealing with the Objective2. The Science of Nature and the Nature of SciencePreliminariesScienceNatureReproducibilityPredictabilityLaw3. Theory: Explanation, Not SpeculationTheoryLogical Implication and Objective TruthGenerality and FundamentalityNaturalityCausationSimplicity and UnificationBeautyFalsifiabilityAn Archetypal Example4. Is Science the Whole Story?Science and MetaphysicsTranscendence and Nontranscendence5. Our Unique UniverseThe Lawless UniverseCosmology6. Nature's LawsRealism and IdealismReductionism and HolismObserver and ObservedQuasi-Isolated System and SurroundingsInitial State and Law of EvolutionExtended Mach PrincipleWhence Order?7. Facing the UniverseHuman ScienceAnthropic PrincipleWhence Order? (Again)Space and Time8. The Hunt for RealityMetaphysical PositionsObjective RealityPerceived RealityPartially Hidden RealityTranscendent RealityCodaGlossaryCombined BibliographyIndex
£63.18
Farrar, Straus and Giroux Bad Science Quacks Hacks and Big Pharma Flacks
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£16.15
Master Books The New Answers Book PB 1 New Answers Master
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£16.41
Adventures Unlimited Press Antigravity and the World Grid Lost Science
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£16.14
Random House USA Inc Elastic Unlocking Your Brains Ability to Embrace
Book SynopsisThe best-selling author of Subliminal and The Drunkard’s Walk teaches you how to tap into the hidden power of your brain. “Elastic is a book that will help you survive the whirlwind.” —Daniel H. Pink, author of When and A Whole New MindNamed to the 800-CEO-READ Business Book Awards Longlist In this startling and provocative look at how the human mind deals with change, Leonard Mlodinow shows us to unleash the natural abilities we all possess so we can thrive in dynamic and troubled times. Truly original minds capitalize when everyone else struggles. And most of us assume that these abilities are innate, reserved for a select few. But Mlodinow reveals that we all possess them, that we all have encoded in our brains a skill he terms elastic thinking—and he guides us in how to harness it. Drawing on groundbreaking r
£15.75
John Wiley and Sons Ltd A Companion to the Philosophy of Biology
Book SynopsisA COMPANION TO THE PHILOSOPHY OF BIOLOGY Sarkar is to be congratulated for assembling this talented team of philosophers, who are themselves to be congratulated for writing these interesting essays on so many fascinating areas in philosophy of biology. This book will be a wonderful resource for future work. Elliot Sober, University of Wisconsin-Madison Many of the discussions here start with a definition of terms and a historical context of the subject before delving into the deeper philosophical issues, making it a useful reference for students of biology as well as philosophy. Northeastern Naturalist The topics that are addressed are done so well. This book will appeal to the advanced student and knowledgeable amateur and may prove useful catalyst for discussion among research teams or those engaged in cross-disciplinary studies. Reference Reviews A Companion to the Philosophy of Biology offers concise overviews of philosophicaTrade Review"This book is a companion to the philosophy of biology, and it not only should be of interest to scholars in philosophy of biology, but it also may be utilized by classroom educators teaching courses in philosophy of biology, theoretical biology, and evolutionary theory." (Science & Education, April 2010) "Many of the discussions here start with a definition of terms and a historical context of the subject before delving into the deeper philosophical issues, making it a useful reference for students of biology as well as philosophy." (Northeastern Naturalist, April 2008) "The topics that are addressed are done so well. This book will appeal to the advanced student and knowledgeable amateur and may prove useful catalyst for discussion among research teams or those engaged in cross-disciplinary studies." (Reference Reviews, February 2009) "Sarkar and Plutynski have compiled a series of essays about the philosophical implications of traditional and emergent biological studies. Among the areas discussed are genetics, immunology and evolutionary psychology." (Columbia College Today Alumni Magazine, February 2009) "A Companion to the Philosophy of Biology will be a very useful guide not only for philosophers but also for historians, sociologists and biologists. Its greatest asset is that it expands beyond the scope of recently published textbooks in philosophy of biology by including a detailed treatment of philosophical aspects of medicine, ecology, mind and behavior and that it places the themes in their historic context. The diversity of areas covered will appeal to students of general interest as well as specialists. Especially helpful is that most chapters end with an extended 'Reference' and often an additional 'Further reading' section that will allow readers to research the individual topics in greater depth." (Metapsychology Reviews Online) "The book is similar to, though different enough to distinguish itself from, its closest kin, The Oxford Handbook of the Philosophy of Biology, edited by Michael Ruse (2008), and The Cambridge Companion to the Philosophy of Biology, edited by David Hull and Michael Ruse. They do not offer essays on language, biodiversity, or models, which are included in the present volume. Recommended." (Choice, November 2008)Table of ContentsList of Figures viii List of Tables x Notes on Contributors xi Acknowledgments xvii Introduction xviiiSahotra Sarkar and Anya Plutynski Part I Molecular Biology and Genetics 1 1 Gene Concepts 3Hans-Jörg Rheinberger and Staffan Müller-Wille 2 Biological Information 22Stefan Artmann 3 Heredity and Heritability 40Richard C. Lewontin 4 Genomics, Proteomics, and Beyond 58Sahotra Sarkar Part II Evolution 75 5 Darwinism and Neo-Darwinism 77James G. Lennox 6 Systematics and Taxonomy 99Marc Ereshefsky 7 Population Genetics 119Christopher Stephens 8 The Units and Levels of Selection 138Samir Okasha 9 Molecular Evolution 157Michael R. Dietrich 10 Speciation and Macroevolution 169Anya Plutynski 11 Adaptationism 186Peter Godfrey-Smith and Jon F. Wilkins Part III Developmental Biology 203 12 Phenotypic Plasticity and Reaction Norms 205Jonathan M. Kaplan 13 Explaining the Ontogeny of Form: Philosophical Issues 223Alan C. Love 14 Development and Evolution 248Ron Amundson Part IV Medicine 269 15 Self and Nonself 271Moira Howes 16 Health and Disease 287Dominic Murphy Part V Ecology 299 17 Population Ecology 301Mark Colyvan 18 Complexity, Diversity, and Stability 321James Justus 19 Ecosystems 351Kent A. Peacock 20 Biodiversity: Its Meaning and Value 368Bryan G. Norton Part VI Mind and Behavior 391 21 Ethology, Sociobiology, and Evolutionary Psychology 393Paul E. Griffiths 22 Cooperation 415J. McKenzie Alexander 23 Language and Evolution 431Derek Bickerton Part VII Experimentation, Theory, and Themes 453 24 What is Life? 455Mark A. Bedau 25 Experimentation 472Marcel Weber 26 Laws and Theories 489Marc Lange 27 Models 506Jay Odenbaugh 28 Function and Teleology 525Justin Garson 29 Reductionism in Biology 550Alexander Rosenberg Index 568
£171.95
Monthly Review Press,U.S. Critique of Intelligent Design: Materialism
Book SynopsisA critique of religious dogma historically provides the basis for rational inquiry into the physical and social world. "Critique of Intelligent Design" is a key to understanding the forces of irrationalism that seek to undermine the natural and social sciences. This book illuminates the historical evolution of the materialist critique - that is, explaining the world in terms of itself - from antiquity to the present through engaging the work of Plato, Aristotle, Epicurus, Lucretius, Francis Bacon, Isaac Newton, David Hume, Charles Darwin, Karl Marx, Sigmund Freud, and Stephen Jay Gould among others.Proponents of "intelligent design" - creationism in its contemporary guise - have reignited an age-old war in which they claim to elevate their doctrine to empirical truth and thus incorporate it into science curricula. They attack the modern scientific view elevating both a pseudo-scientific and -cultural renewal in line with their theological orientation and what they perceive as a knowable moral order." Critique of Intelligent Design" is a compelling account of the debate between materialism and religion as well as an overview of the contemporary fight concerning nature, science, history, morality, and knowledge. The authors demonstrate how historical materialism is a crucial social foundation from which to confront intelligent design. They provide a fascinating account of the development of science in opposition to the proponents of "received wisdom." "Critique of Intelligent Design" offers empowering tools to understand and defend critical and scientific reasoning.
£68.19
Monthly Review Press,U.S. The Science and Humanism of Stephen Jay Gould
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£81.72
Berrett-Koehler Learning from Leonardo; Decoding the Notebooks of
Book SynopsisLeonardo da Vinci is celebrated as the archetypal Renaissance man. He made extraordinary discoveries in numerous fields and pioneered entire disciplines, among them fluid dynamics, aerodynamics, theoretical botany, and embryology. Leonardo's unique synthesis of art, science, and technology is not only fascinating intellectually but also very relevant to our timeâit prefigures modern systems theory.Our sciences and technologies have become increasingly narrow in their focus, unable to understand our multi-faceted problems from an interdisciplinary perspective; and our business and political leaders are often incapable of "connecting the dots." This is exactly what we can learn from Leonardo. As the author shows throughout the book, Da Vinci practiced a science and technology that honored and respected the unity of all life, recognized the fundamental interdependence of all natural phenomena, and connected the microcosm (the human being) with the macrocosm (the living Earth). That is exactly the kind of science and technology we need today.
£24.30
Classiques Garnier Cladistique Et Evolution: Une Fondation
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£59.85
Classiques Garnier Science Et Orthodoxie: Des Peres Grecs a l'Epoque
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£50.00
Librarie Philosophique J. Vrin Textes Cles de Philosophie de la Biologie: Vol.
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£19.00
