Science & Nature Books

Book SynopsisIn this stimulating book, Goldsmith argues that biology has a great deal to say that should be of interest to social scientists, historians, philosophers, and humanists in general. He believes that anyone studying the social behaviour of humans must take into consideration both proximate cause - the physiology, biochemistry, and social mechanisms of behavior - and ultimate cause - how the behavior came to exist in evolutionary time. Goldsmith, a neurobiologist, draws examples from neurobiology, psychology, and ethology (behavioral evolution). The result is a work that overcomes mant of the misconceptions that have hindered the rich contributions the biological sciences have to offer concerning the evolution of human society, behavior, and sense of identity. Among the key topics addressed are the nature of biological explanation, the relationship between genes and behavior, those aspects of behavior most likely to respond to natural selection, the relationship between evolution and learning, and some probable modes of interaction between cultural and biological evolution. By re-examining the role of biological explanation in the domain of social development, the author has significantly advanced a more well-rounded view of human evolution and shed new light on the perennial question of what it means to be human. His book will appea to biologists, social scientists, traditional humanists, and interested general readers.Trade Review"The book is well-written and amasses considerable evidence in support of its thesis. ... He (Goldsmith) brings to his work not only familiarity with evolutionary theory but also his particular skills as a neurobiologist. So he is in a better than average position to make the connections between genetics, neurobiology and psychology as these affect behavior." -- New Ideas in Psychology "The strength of the book is. . .the succinct way in which Goldsmith explains many of the confusing and misunderstood elements of sociobiology." --Choice "An outstanding work reflecting careful synthesis and great explanatory power. A superb achievement that provides a succinct and readable overview of an extraordinarily broad and complex area."--Owen D. Jones, Professor of Law, Arizona State University "The book is well-written and amasses considerable evidence in support of its thesis. ... He (Goldsmith) brings to his work not only familiarity with evolutionary theory but also his particular skills as a neurobiologist. So he is in a better than average position to make the connections between genetics, neurobiology and psychology as these affect behavior." -- New Ideas in Psychology "The strength of the book is. . .the succinct way in which Goldsmith explains many of the confusing and misunderstood elements of sociobiology." --Choice "An outstanding work reflecting careful synthesis and great explanatory power. A superb achievement that provides a succinct and readable overview of an extraordinarily broad and complex area."--Owen D. Jones, Professor of Law, Arizona State UniversityTable of Contents1. The dual nature of causation in biology ; 2. Some fallacies and misconceptions ; 3. Evolutionary times since Darwin ; 4. Reasoning about ultimate causes of behavior ; 5. Getting from genes to behavior ; 6. Evolutionary perspectives on volition, learning, and language ; 7. Decisions, Decisions! ; 8. Culture, anthropology, and evolution ; Epilogue: Concerning "Biological Reductionism"

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Book SynopsisFor more than two thousand years a familiarity with mathematics has been regarded as an indispensable part of the intellectual equipment of every cultured person. Today, unfortunately, the traditional place of mathematics in education is in grave danger. The teaching and learning of mathematics has degenerated into the realm of rote memorization, the outcome of which leads to satisfactory formal ability but does not lead to real understanding or to greater intellectual independence. This new edition of Richard Courant''s and Herbert Robbins''s classic work seeks to address this problem. Its goal is to put the meaning back into mathematics. Written for beginners and scholars, for students and teachers, for philosophers and engineers, What is Mathematics?, Second Edition is a sparkling collection of mathematical gems that offers an entertaining and accessible portrait of the mathematical world. Covering everything from natural numbers and the number system to geometrical constructions and projective geometry, from topology and calculus to matters of principle and the Continuum Hypothesis, this fascinating survey allows readers to delve into mathematics as an organic whole rather than an empty drill in problem solving. With chapters largely independent of one another and sections that lead upward from basic to more advanced discussions, readers can easily pick and choose areas of particular interest without impairing their understanding of subsequent parts. Brought up to date with a new chapter by Ian Stewart, What is Mathematics?, Second Edition offers new insights into recent mathematical developments and describes proofs of the Four-Color Theorem and Fermat''s Last Theorem, problems that were still open when Courant and Robbins wrote this masterpiece, but ones that have since been solved. Formal mathematics is like spelling and grammar--a matter of the correct application of local rules. Meaningful mathematics is like journalism--it tells an interesting story. But unlike some journalism, the story has to be true. The best mathematics is like literature--it brings a story to life before your eyes and involves you in it, intellectually and emotionally. What is Mathematics is like a fine piece of literature--it opens a window onto the world of mathematics for anyone interested to view.Trade ReviewCan...be read with great profit by anyone desiring general mathematical literacy. * Mathematics Abstracts *A great book. * Ludwig Otto, Paul Quinn College *A lucid representation of the fundamental concepts and methods of the whole field of mathematics. It is an easily understandable introduction for the layman and helps to give the mathematical student a general view of the basic principles and methods. * Albert Einstein *Without doubt, the work will have great influence. It should be in the hands of everyone, professional or otherwise, who is interested in scientific thinking. * The New York Times *A work of extraordinary perfection. * Mathematical Reviews *It contains an excellent selection of material for students who have no desire to develop mathematical skills but who may be willing to look briefly into this field of intellectual activity....For the inquiring student who wishes to know what real mathematics is about, or for the trained engineer or physicist who has some interest in the justification of procedures he uses, it should prove a source of great pleasure and satisfaction. * Journal of Applied Physics *This book is a work of art. * Marston Morse *This is not a book in philosophy; but there are probably few philosophers who can not gain instruction and clarification from it. It succeeds brilliantly in conveying the intellectual excitement of mathematical inquiry and in communicating the essential ideas and methods."Journal of PhilosophyIt is a work of high perfection, whether judged by aesthetic, pedagogical or scientific standards. It is astonishing to what extent What is Mathematics? has succeeded in making clear by means of the simplest examples all the fundamental ideas and methods which we mathematicians consider the life blood of our science. * Herman Weyl *Still a book that all prospective mathematics teachers should read and experience. A rare book that has retained its "freshness" and readability for more than 50 years....Very readable. * Stephen Krulik, Temple University *

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Book SynopsisThere is ample evidence that it is difficult for the general public to understand and internalize scientific facts. Disputes over such facts are often amplified amid political controversies. As we''ve seen with climate change and even COVID-19, politicians rely on the perceptions of their constituents when making decisions that impact public policy. So, how do we make sure that what the public understands is accurate? In this book, Steven L. Goldman traces the public''s suspicion of scientific knowledge claims to a broad misunderstanding, reinforced by scientists themselves, of what it is that scientists know, how they know it, and how to act on the basis of it.In sixteen chapters, Goldman takes readers through the history of scientific knowledge from Plato and Aristotle, through the birth of modern science and its maturation, into a powerful force for social change to the present day. He explains how scientists have wrestled with their own understanding of what it is that they know, that theories evolve, and why the public misunderstands the reliability of scientific knowledge claims.With many examples drawn from the history of philosophy and science, the chapters illustrate an ongoing debate over how we know what we say we know and the relationship between knowledge and reality. Goldman covers a rich selection of ideas from the founders of modern science and John Locke''s response to Newton''s theories to Thomas Kuhn''s re-interpretation of scientific knowledge and the Science Wars that followed it. Goldman relates these historical disputes to current issues, underlining the important role scientists play in explaining their own research to nonscientists and the effort nonscientists must make to incorporate science into public policies. A narrative exploration of scientific knowledge, Science Wars engages with the arguments of both sides by providing thoughtful scientific, philosophical, and historical discussions on every page.Trade ReviewTo anyone seeking a lively historical tour of the problematic nature of scientific knowledge and our unending struggle to pin down what makes it so valuable, I recommend Science Wars enthusiastically. * David E. Dunning, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia *In a world where 'truth' has become as subjective as beauty, Science Wars is essential reading. A wide-ranging tour de force, this book tells us about the nature of knowledge, leavened with clever asides: Galileo was arrogant, Newton dismissed dissenters, and Carl Friedrich Gauss and Leonard Euler are candidates for the greatest mathematician of all time. All this to say, Steve Goldman is an engaging writer * William L. Silber, Senior Advisor, Cornerstone Research; Former Marcus Nadler Professor of Finance and Economics, Stern School of Business, New York University; and author most recently of The Power of Nothing to Lose *This book is well written and carefully presented. Steven Goldman's focus on the evolution of science from the 17th century to present day provides an excellent lens through which to explore what is meant by scientific 'knowledge.' * Rachel A. Ankeny, The University of Adelaide *Goldman's writing style is engaging and clear as he describes the problem of scientific knowledge and the two major approaches. While reading, I was impressed that he could engage with such important material in such a succinct way * Allan Franklin, University of Colorado Boulder *This is a very useful book...the explanations are clear and accessible. Some of themore historical sections are heavy going, but the effort invested in these sections will be rewarded. I have read the book to write this review but will read it again. There is much to take from it. * David Parker, Physiology, Development & Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom, Quarterly Review of Biology *As a summing up of a scholar's lifetime of thinking and teaching, no finer testimony could be imagined than this book. It should be on the mandatory reading list of all scientific aspirants, for the depth of its insights is altogether exceptional and not to be missed by any reader with a deep interest in this subject matter. * J. Lawrenz, The European Legacy *Table of ContentsIntroduction Chapter 1: Knowledge as a Problem. Chapter 2: Is There a Scientific Method? Chapter 3: Was Galileo Right and the Catholic Church Wrong? Chapter 4: Newton and Knowledge of the Universe Chapter 5: Science versus Philosophy Chapter 6: Science and Social Reform in the Age of Reason Chapter 7: What is Science About? Chapter 8: The Knowledge Problem in Mature Science Chapter 9: Scientific Realism and the Romantic Reaction against Reason Chapter 10: Early Twentieth Century Philosophy of Science Chapter 11: Einstein versus Bohr on Reality Chapter 12: In Quest of the Thinker of Science Chapter 13: A New Image for Science Chapter 14: The Opening Phase of the Science Wars Chapter 15: Taking Sides for and against Reason and Knowledge Chapter 16: The Science Wars Go Public References Index

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Book SynopsisEveryone has heard of the term pseudoscience, typically used to describe something that looks like science, but is somehow false, misleading, or unproven. Many would be able to agree on a list of things that fall under its umbrella-- astrology, phrenology, UFOlogy, creationism, and eugenics might come to mind. But defining what makes these fields pseudo is a far more complex issue. It has proved impossible to come up with a simple criterion that enables us to differentiate pseudoscience from genuine science. Given the virulence of contemporary disputes over the denial of climate change and anti-vaccination movements--both of which display allegations of pseudoscience on all sides-- there is a clear need to better understand issues of scientific demarcation.On the Fringe explores the philosophical and historical attempts to address this problem of demarcation. This book argues that by understanding doctrines that are often seen as antithetical to science, we can learn a great deal aboutTrade ReviewGordin's book should be mandatory reading for all those interested in the nature of science and pseudoscience. On the Fringe provides an excellent exposition of a wide diversity of pseudoscientifc doctrines, something which certainly can help to devise more useful demarcation criteria. * Juan Gefaell, Metascience *Michael Gordin's book adds at least two important aspects to the literature. First, as a historian, he puts some of the pseudosciences in a historical perspective that is seldom presented. Secondly, he contributes to the systematic treatment of pseudosciences by introducing four groups of such teachings. * SVEN OVE HANSSON, Society for US Intellectual History *Gordin's discussion offers critical tools for students confronting a cultural context in which claims of scientific expertise carry significant—even unprecedented—consequence. * J. D. Martin, Durham University *A fascinating exploration of the line between science and pseudoscience. * PD Smith, The Guardian *Fascinating... a very effective and readable analysis. * Brian Clegg, Popular Science blog *This will be helpful to anyone curious about how to separate the wheat of science from the chaff of pseudoscience. * Publishers Weekly Review *Illuminating * Ross McFarlane, Fortean Times *Gordin's book can best be approached as a first sketch of a very useful and promising way of studying pseudoscience rather than as a definitive account of it. * Juan Gefaell, Metascience *Table of ContentsChapter 1: The Demarcation Problem Chapter 2: Vestigial Sciences Chapter 3: Hyperpoliticized Sciences Chapter 4: Fighting "Establishment" Science Chapter 5: Mind over Matter Chapter 6: Controversy Is Inevitable Chapter 7: The Russian Questions Notes Further Reading

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Book SynopsisVertebrate Life distills the necessary information from vertebrate anatomy, physiology, ecology, and behavioral studies and then helps students see important connections across levels of biological scale. The result is students come to understand how organisms function effectively in their environments and how lineages of organisms change through evolutionary time. Processing complex detailed information about expansive phylogenies and diverse anatomies can be difficult for even the most motivated students, and Vertebrate Life addresses this challenge by combining appropriately-detailed, clearly-written text with outstanding phylogenies and figures, making it a thorough and engaging reference for students and instructors alike. The text''s impressive illustration program helps students visualize complex concepts, allowing them to parse difficult anatomical information. The 11th edition will have an upgraded illustration program with several new and revised figures, including layered figures presented in the new enhanced eBook.Trade Review<"I really like the summary component of Pough et al. This will be extremely helpful for students to focus on the big picture points moving forward.>" -Carly Anne York, Lenoir-Rhyne University<"I think Vertebrate Life has over many iterations of deeply scholarly editions has achieved an excellent treatment of the comparative evolution of adaptive form and function across the tree of vertebrate life. It excels at placing the comparative morphology and physiology of major vertebrate lineages into a clear phylogenetic context with outstanding integration of both extinct and extant forms through the history of space and time on Earth since the early Paleozoic. [In the upcoming edition,] I like the continued expansion to more mixed media illustrations. The increased use of multiple colors in displays and use of more photographs to complement drawn scientific illustrations continues to move in a productive direction for this chapter, and this new edition in general.>" -Andrew M. Shedlock, University of Charleston<"Vertebrate Life really has been the top undergraduate textbook for a survey course on the evolution and form and function of vertebrate animals, for the better part of two decades. The new edition [has] upped the ante a bit in terms of clarity and coverage.>" -Jonathan Weinbaum, Southern Connecticut State University<"[The new edition of Vertebrate Life] updates a previous edition of an excellent text with better organization and new information. [It has a] balance between presenting interesting information without overloading detail.>" -Udo Savalli, Arizona State University<"Pough et al. has a wonderful variety of species that the students will find compelling. It is written in a very accessible writing style, [with a variety of] engaging species examples. The figures will greatly enhance student understanding with well-chosen and interesting examples.>" -Claire Kendal-Wright, Chaminade UniversityTable of ContentsPreface xv Chapter 1 Diversity, Classification, and Evolution of Vertebrates 1.1 The Vertebrate Story --Binominal nomenclature --Extant vertebrate groups 1.2 Phylogenetic Systematics 1.3 Applying Phylogenetic Criteria --Evaluating possible phylogenies --Molecules and morphology --The problem of dating --Dagger (DR) convention adopted in this book 1.4 Using Phylogenetic Trees --Extant phylogenetic brackets --Paraphyly --Crown and stem groups 1.5 Genetic Mechanisms of Evolutionary Change --Phenotypes and fitness --Developmental regulatory genes 1.6 Epigenetic Effects 1.7 Earth History and Vertebrate Evolution Chapter 2 What Is a Vertebrate?? 2.1 Vertebrates in Relation to Other Animals? 2.2 Characteristics of Chordates? --Chordate origins and evolution? --Extant nonvertebrate chordates? 2.3 What Distinguishes a Vertebrate?? 2.4 Vertebrate Embryonic Development? --Development of the body? --Development of the pharyngeal region? --Development of the brain? --Other neurogenic tissues of vertebrates? 2.5 Vertebrate Tissues? --Adult tissue types --Mineralized tissues 2.6 Vertebrate Organ Systems --Integumentary system --Skeletal system --Muscular system --Nervous system and sense organs --Endocrine system --Respiratory system --Circulatory system --Digestive system --Excretory and reproductive systems Chapter 3 Jawless Vertebrates and the Origin of Gnathostomes 3.1 Earliest Evidence of Vertebrates --Enigmas: DRConodonts and DRTullimonstrum ---Early mineralized tissues --Environment of early vertebrate evolution 3.2 Cyclostomes: Extant Jawless Vertebrate --Characters of cyclostomes --Hagfishes: Myxiniformes --Lampreys: Petromyzontiformes 3.3 Jawless Osteognathostomes 3.4 Gnathostome Body Plan --Gnathostome skeletons --What about soft anatomical features? 3.5 Origin of Jaws --Hypotheses of jaw origins --Importance of the nose --Selective value of jaws 3.6 Origin of Paired Appendages --Fin development and the lateral somitic frontier --Advantages of fins 3.7 Extinct Paleozoic Jawed Fishes Chapter 4 Living in Water 4.1 Aquatic Environment --Obtaining oxygen from water using gill --Obtaining oxygen from air using lungs and other respiratory structure --Adjusting buoyancy 4.2 Sensory World of Aquatic Vertebrates --Vision --Chemosensation: Olfaction and taste --Detecting water displacement --Hearing and equilibrium --Electroreception and electrogenesis 4.3 Maintaining an Internal Environment --Nitrogenous wastes and kidney --Osmoregulation --Regulation of ions and body fluids 4.4 Osmoregulation in Different Environments --Marine cartilaginous fishes and coelacanths --Marine teleosts --Freshwater teleosts and lissamphibians --Euryhaline vertebrates Chapter 5 Geography and Ecology of the Paleozoic 5.1 Deep Time --The Precambrian world --The Paleozoic 5.2 Continental Geography --Continental drift and plate tectonics --Shifting continents of the Paleozoic --Shifting continents and changing climates 5.3 Paleozoic Climates 5.4 Paleozoic Ecosystems --Aquatic life --Terrestrial flora --Terrestrial fauna 5.5 Extinctions Chapter 6 Origin and Radiation of Chondrichthyans 6.1 Acanthodii 6.2 Chondrichthyes --Habitats and diversity --Placoid scales --Cartilaginous skeleton --Teeth and tooth plates --Jaws and jaw suspension --Internal fertilization and claspers --Distinctive soft tissue and physiological features 6.3 Euchondrocephali and Chimaeriformes --Biology of extant Chimaeriformes 6.4 Elasmobranchii, Euselachii, and Neoselachii --Selachii: Sharks --Batomorphi: Skates and rays 6.5 Biology of Neoselachii --Feeding --Bioluminescence and biofluorescence ---Hypoxia and the epaulette shark --Endothermal heterothermy --Swimming --Reproduction --Elasmobranch brains --Social networks and migration in sand tiger sharks 6.6 Declining Elasmobranch Populations --Conservation and sawfishes --Threats to chondrichthyans --Vulnerabilities of chondrichthyans --Ecological impacts of shark population declines --Policies to protect sharks Chapter 7 Origin of Osteichthyes and Radiation of Actinopterygian 7.1 Osteichthyes, Actinopterygii, and Sarcopterygi --Osteichthyan character --Fin adaptations --Other differences between actinopterygians and sarcopterygians 7.2 Actinopterygii: Basal Group --Polypteriformes --Acipenseriformes --Neopterygii: Holostei --Neopterygii: Teleoste 7.3 Characters of Teleostei 7.4 Teleostei: Basal Groups --Elopomorpha --Osteoglossomorpha --Otocephala --Basal euteleosts 7.5 Teleostei: Acanthopterygii --Basal acanthopterygians --Percomorph 7.6 Swimming and Hydrodynamics --Generating forward thrust --Modes of locomotion --Speed and drag --Steering, stopping, and staying in place 7.7 Reproduction and Development --Oviparity --Viviparity --Sex change in teleosts 7.8 Ecology of Marine Teleosts --Black-water diving and larval teleosts --The photic zone and its subdivisions --Coral reef fishes --Pelagic and deep-sea fishes Chapter 8 Sarcopterygians and the Origin of Tetrapods 8.1 Phylogenetic Concepts of Tetrapoda and Characters for Sarcopterygii 8.2 The Miguasha Lagerstätte and the

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewBreaking new ground boldly, this book aims at creating a human science of IR by looking to quantum physics for inspiration and insight. The two undisputed leaders in this burgeoning IR field, James Der Derian and Alexander Wendt, have assembled uniformly outstanding chapters. If you worry that IR has too little to say about the spreading virus within us and the warming planet around us, and a host of other pressing issues, you can learn enormously from this collection-and then you should teach it to your undergraduate and graduate students! * Peter J. Katzenstein, Walter S. Carpenter, Jr. Professor of International Studies, Cornell University and editor of Uncertainty and its Discontents: Worldviews in World Politics *While world politics is increasingly characterized by networked simultaneity, AI-generated synthetic media, and endlessly multiplying meta-verses, the formal study of the field is still flash frozen in a classical Newtonian worldview. This carefully curated edited collection provides an extremely thorough and highly provocative introduction to the many ways in which quantum theory can better inform our understanding of international relations. There is currently no other source that covers so well the history, scientific principles, and the promises and perils of quantum physics as they relate to the study of world politics. * Ron Deibert, Director of the Citizen Lab at the University of Toronto and author of Reset: Reclaiming the Internet for Civil Society *This provocative and ground-breaking collection will make you question the classical understandings of international relations and discover new entanglements. It's a thrilling glimpse into how the quantum paradigm might transform the foundations of the social sciences as much as it has for physics, chemistry, and computer science. * Kate Crawford, Research Professor at USC Annenberg, and author of Atlas of AI *There has come a need for a newly engaged examination of what the whole realm of quantum thought means, and how new developments in quantum technology might change us in profound ways. The new explorations collected here perform that function admirably; as far as I know, there is no other collection like it, and it is sorely needed. * Kim Stanley Robinson, author of The Ministry for the Future *Rich edited volume...improving our understanding of how individual actions transform the social phenomena is a worthy and timely academic pursuit. As such, the book offers unique insights that will inspire critically oriented scholars. * Jakub Tesa%r, International Affairs *Table of ContentsPreface 'Setting the Stage' Stephen Del Rosso (Carnegie Corporation of New York) Introduction 1. 'Quantum Theory: The Case for a New Human Science of International Relations' James Der Derian (University of Sydney, Australia) and Alexander Wendt (Ohio State University, USA) Part 1. History and Theory 2. 'First Encounters: Quantum Mechanics and the Human Sciences' Nicholas T. Harrington (University of Sydney, Australia) 3. 'Mind, Matter, and Motion: A Genealogy of Quantum Entanglement and Estrangement' Jayson C. Waters (University of Sydney, Australia) 4. 'A Quantum Temperament For Life: A Dialogue Between Philosophy and Physics' Jairus Victor Grove (University of Hawaii, USA) 5. 'A Conceptual Introduction to Quantum Theory' Michael Schnabel (University of Chicago, USA) Part 2. Science and Technology 6. 'The Quantum Moonshot' Shohini Ghose (Wilfrid Laurier University, Canada) 7. 'Climate Politics and Social Change: What can cognitive and quantum approaches offer?' Manjana Milkoreit and Karen O'Brien (University of Oslo, Norway) 8. 'These are not the droids you're looking for: Offense, Defense, and the Social Context of Quantum Cryptology' Jon R. Lindsay (University of Toronto, Canada) 9. 'Quantum Technology Hype and National Security' Frank L. Smith III (Naval War College, USA) Part 3. Quantizing IR 10. 'Quantum Pedagogy: Teaching Copenhagen and Discovering Affinities with Dialectical Thinking in IR' Thomas Biersteker (Graduate Institute of Geneva, Switzerland) 11. 'The Problématique of Quantization in Social Theory: A Category-Theoretic Way Forward' Badredine Arfi (University of Florida, USA) 12. 'On Quantum Social Theory and Critical International Relations' Michael P.A. Murphy (University of Ottawa, Canada) 13. 'Quantum Sovereignty + Entanglement' Mark Salter (University of Ottawa, Canada) 14. 'Quantum and systems theory in world society: Not brothers and sisters but relatives still?' Mathias Albert and Felix M. Bathon (Universität Bielefeld, Germany) 15. 'The Value of Value: A Quantum Approach to Economics, Security and International Relations' David Orrell (Systems Forecasting, Canada) Part 4. Bringing the Human Back into Science 16. 'Introspection Redux: Incorporating Consciousness into Social Research' Leonardo Orlando (SciencesPo, France) 17. 'To "See" is to Break an Entanglement: Quantum Measurement, Trauma and Security' K.M. Fierke and Nicola Mackay 18. 'The Moral Failure of the Quest for Certainty' Laura Zanotti (Virginia Tech University, USA)

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Book SynopsisTable of ContentsPreface I. Questions from Neuroscientists for Philosophers 1. What is an intention? - Gideon Yaffe 2. What is a will? - Pamela Hieronymi 3. When is an action voluntary? - Pamela Hieronymi 4. What is freedom? - Walter Sinnott-Armstrong 5. What is free will? - Timothy O'Connor 6. Can there be free will in a determined universe? - Timothy O'Connor 7. Does free will come in degrees? - Jonathan Hall & Tillmann Vierkant 8. How can we determine whether or not we have free will? - Alfred R. Mele 9. What kind of neuroscientific evidence, if any, could determine whether anyone has free will? - Adina L. Roskies 10. What kind of behavioral experiments, if any could determine whether anyone has free will? - Tim Bayne 11. Can a robot with artificial intelligence have free will? - Jonathan Hall & Tillmann Vierkant 12. Do conscious decisions cause physical actions? - Ned Block 13. How is consciousness related to freedom of action or will? - Tim Bayne 14. How is responsibility related to free will, control, and action? - Gideon Yaffe 15. What are reasons? - Walter Sinnott-Armstrong II. Questions from Philosophers for Neuroscientists 16. What are the main stages in the neural processes that produce actions? - Patrick Haggard & Elisabeth Parés-Pujolràs 17. Does the will correspond to any clearly delineated brain area or activity? - Gabriel Kreiman 18. How are the neural processes for deciding when to move similar and different from those for deciding what or how to move? - Antonio Ivano Triggiani & Mark Hallett 19. How are arbitrary and deliberate decisions similar and different? - Jye Bold, Liad Mudrik, & Uri Maoz 20. How do higher-level brain areas exert control over lower-level brain areas? - Mark Hallett 21. What are intentional actions? - Elisabeth Parés-Pujolràs & Patrick Haggard 22. What evidence is there that intentions are represented in the brain? - John-Dylan Haynes 23. What is known about the neural correlates of specific beliefs and desires that inform human choices? - Amber Hopkins & Uri Maoz 24. How can we determine whether or not an agent is conscious of a bit of information relevant to an action? - Liad Mudrik & Aaron Schurger 25. Which neural mechanisms could enable conscious control of action? - Jake Gavenas, Mark Hallett, & Uri Maoz 26. How does the absence of a consensus about the neural basis of consciousness and volition affect theorizing about conscious volition? - Amber Hopkins, Liad Mudrik, & Uri Maoz 27. How can we determine the precise timing of brain events related to action? - Mark Hallett & Aaron Schurger 28. How can we determine the precise timing of mental events related to action? - Sae Jin Lee, Sook Mun (Alice) Wong, Uri Maoz, & Mark Hallett 29. Are any neural processes truly random (or stochastic)? - Hans Liljenström 30. How can computational models help us understand free will? - Gabriel Kreiman, Hans Liljenström, Aaron Schurger, & Uri Maoz Brain Maps - Amber Hopkins and Natalie Nichols Glossary - Claire Simmons and Amber Hopkins Annotated Bibliography - Deniz Ar?türk and Amber Hopkins

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewCongratulations to Alfred Mele for another outstanding book! Free Will: An Opinionated Introduction is a superb tour through the ins and outs of the debate over whether normal folks have free will. Mele is certainly one of the world's leading philosophers working on the nature of action and the related topic of free will. In this book, he faces the questions of what free will is, the best arguments for why we do not have it, and his own forceful arguments for why, indeed, most of us do have it. This wonderful, accessible book will be interesting and fun to read for any educated person who wants a fair and clear-minded assessment of the current state of the free will debate. I also highly recommend it for use in an introductory college course, or even an advanced high school course. * Michael McKenna, University of Arizona *This wonderful book offers a lucid and entertaining introduction to a classic philosophical debate about a key aspect of the human essence, namely free will. The author is a highly respected and distinguished philosopher himself, and one who has for years scrupulously respected both sides of the debate. Using plain language and vivid examples, the book illuminates why thinkers have come to different conclusions. The title says the book is opinionated, but the author's opinions are judicious, so the reader can appreciate the best arguments on either side, as well as the weak points in each side's arguments. While this is a terrific book for readers seeking an up-to-date introduction to the disputes, seasoned readers familiar with the field will also find much that is new, helpful, and informative. * Roy F. Baumeister, author of The Self Explained: Why and How We Become Who We Are *In this vibrant, succinctly written book, Mele (Florida State Univ.) takes readers on a philosophical journey that provides "a good feel for the interesting issues, options, and arguments that need to be dealt with in any respectable attempt to arrive at a bottom line on free will."...Highly recommended. Lower- and upper-division undergraduates; graduate students; general readers. * Choice *Table of ContentsPreface Chapter 1. Getting Started Chapter 2. A Straight Perspective on Free Will Chapter 3. Alternative Possibilities, Frankfurt-Style Stories, and the Consequence Argument Chapter 4. A Whirlwind Tour of a Mixed Perspective on Free Will Chapter 5. Exploring a Mixed Conception of Free Will Chapter 6. Some Sources of Skepticism about Free Will Chapter 7. More Skeptical Arguments Chapter 8. Free Will and Neuroscience Chapter 9. Wrapping Things up

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Book SynopsisThis classic text takes a balanced and modern approach, presenting the exciting developments in the field, and making the most complex topics understandable to a new generation of students. Developmental Biology, Thirteenth Edition, accommodates the needs of both beginners and advanced students by clearly distinguishing the main subject matter from the details needed by advanced students.An enhanced eBook contains videos, interviews, tutorials, and interactive features. This market-leading text embodies the breadth, intellectual rigor, and wonder of contemporary developmental biology.

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Book SynopsisAccessible and compelling, Relationships 5.0 reveals the ongoing epochal change in human relationships towards technology meant to fulfill emotional, intellectual, and physical needs that have until now been met by other humans.Trade ReviewIn Relationships 5.0, Elyakim Kislev guides the reader on a journey through world historical contexts of technological evolution and the innovations that came from those historic situational necessities. This book provides an important perspective, predicting an uncertain future where we must carefully consider how we design and depend on AI. It helps us realize that AI is not just a tool created in response to our needs for survival or a desire for entertainment, but also a projection of our own humanity. * Julie Carpenter, Research Fellow, Ethics and Emerging Sciences Group *Relationships 5.0^ is a timely and readable survey of what the latest technologies mean for sex and personal relationships. The author steps back from the headlines and takes us on an ambitious journey through human history to consider the really big, interesting questions about how our relationship to technology is changing, as well as our relationships with each other. If someone wants a Fodor's guide to the next fifty years of sex and love, this book may be it. * Neil McArthur, Director, Center for Professional and Applied Ethics, University of Manitoba *At last! A compelling book that takes a historical approach and discusses the challenging topic of emotional companionship, AI, VR and robots. This book is a must-have for anyone interested in relationships and, in particular, relationships with technologies. * Wendy Moyle, Program Director, Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University *Readers of this book will not only learn the very long history of technological influences on human relationships, including communities and families, but also several critical issues about bonds between humans and highly advanced technologies such as AI, VR, and robots in near future. * Tatsuya Nomura, Professor, Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology, Ryukoku University *Table of ContentsIntroduction Part I: A Brief History of Our Personal Lives 1. Hunter-Gatherer Society and Relationships 1.0 2. Agricultural Society and Relationships 2.0 3. Industrial Society and Relationships 3.0 4. Information Society and Relationships 4.0 Part II: Relationships 5.0 and the Three Revolutions in the Making 5. AI and The Cognitive Revolution 6. VR, AR, and the Sensorial Revolution 7. Robots and the Physical Revolution 8. Conclusions and Implications References Index

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Book SynopsisEpistemology has traditionally been motivated by a desire to respond to skeptical challenges. The skeptic presents an argument for the view that knowledge is impossible, and the theorist of knowledge is called upon to explain why we should think, contrary to the skeptic, that it is genuinely possible to gain knowledge. Traditional theories of knowledge offer responses to the skeptic which fail to draw on the resources of the sciences. This is no simple oversight; there are principled reasons why such resources are thought to be unavailable to the theorist of knowledge. This book takes a different approach. After arguing that appeals to science are not illegitimate in responding to skepticism, this book shows how the sciences offer an illuminating perspective on traditional questions about the nature and possibility of knowledge. This book serves as an introduction to a scientifically informed approach to the theory of knowledge. This book is a vital resource for students and scholars iTable of ContentsAcknowledgments Preface 1. The Threat of Skepticism 2. The Phenomenon of Knowledge 3. Knowledge from the Outside: The Third-Person Perspective 4. Knowledge from the Inside: The First-Person Perspective 5. From the Individual to the Social 6. Conclusion: Born to Know Notes References Index

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Book SynopsisHow do brains make minds? Paul Thagard presents a unified, brain-based theory of cognition and emotion with applications to the most complex kinds of thinking, right up to consciousness and creativity. Neural mechanisms are used to explain mental operations for analogy, action, intention, language, and the self.Brain-Mind develops a brilliant account of mental operations using promising new ideas from theoretical neuroscience. Single neurons cannot do much by themselves, but groups of neurons work together to accomplish powerful kinds of mental representation, including concepts, images, and rules. Minds enable people to perceive, imagine, solve problems, understand, learn, speak, reason, create, and be emotional and conscious. Competing explanations of how the mind works have identified it as soul, computer, brain, dynamical system, or social construction. This book explains minds in terms of interacting mechanisms operating at multiple levels, including the social, mental, neural, and molecular. Unification comes from systematic application of Chris Eliasmith''s powerful Semantic Pointer Architecture, a highly original synthesis of neural network and symbolic ideas about how the mind works. This book belongs to a trio that includes Mind-Society: From Brains to Social Sciences and Professions and Natural Philosophy: From Social Brains to Knowledge, Reality, Morality, and Beauty. They can be read independently, but together they make up a Treatise on Mind and Society that provides a unified and comprehensive treatment of the cognitive sciences, social sciences, professions, and humanities.Trade ReviewWith his deep background in cognitive science and philosophy of mind, Thagard is able to sketch a bird's eye view of the mind-encompassing cognition, emotion, and consciousness-while staying grounded in a computational theory of neural organization." * Keith J. Holyoak, Distinguished Professor of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles *Paul Thagard's Brain-Mind is an extremely ambitious attempt (largely successful, I believe), to provide a unified, neurally-based, account of how the Brain creates the Mind. Using Chris Eliasmith's Semantic Pointer Architecture and related ideas, Thagard shows how all the various aspects of the mind from lower level phenomena, such as Perception, to the highest levels of cognition, such as Language and the Self, can be realized in terms of a set of unifying principles based on the Semantic Pointer Architecture and its grounding in neural mechanisms. It provides a strong intellectual foundation for the even more ambitious other volumes (Mind-Society and Natural Philosophy) of his three-volume Treatise on Mind and Society. Thagard takes us on a mind-expanding journey." * Stephen Read, Mendel B. Silberberg Professor of Social Psychology, University of Southern California *A readable overview of the philosophy of cognitive science and its goal of establishing mechanistic or computational models of cognition and emotion." * Choice *Table of ContentsPreface Acknowledgments 1. What are Minds? Why Minds Matter What are Minds? Cognitive Science Representations and Processes Mechanisms Looking Ahead Summary Notes to Chapter 1: Minds 2. How Brains Make Minds Why Brains Matter to Mind and Society Thinking with Cells Neurons Neural Groups Combining Neural Representations Semantic Pointers The Semantic Pointer Architecture Innateness versus Learning Summary and Discussion Appendix: Details and Comparisons Notes to Chapter 2: Brains 3. Perception and Imagery Why Perception and Imagery Matter to Mind and Society From Sensation to Perception to Imagery External Senses Internal Senses Imagery Mental Mechanisms for Imagery Neural Mechanisms for Imagery Uses of Imagery Summary and Discussion Notes to Chapter 3: Perception 4. Concepts Why Concepts Matter to Mind and Society Theories of Concepts Neural Mechanisms for Concepts Uses of Concepts Summary and Discussion Notes to Chapter 4: Concepts 5. Rules Why Rules Matter to Mind and Society Mental Mechanisms for Rules Neural Mechanisms for Rules Uses of Rules Summary and Discussion Notes to Chapter 5: Rules 6. Analogies Why Analogies Matter to Mind and Society Mental Mechanisms for Analogy Neural Mechanisms for Analogy Uses of Analogies Summary and Discussion Notes to Chapter 6: Analogies 7. Emotions Why Emotions Matter to Mind and Society Psychological Theories of Emotion Neural Mechanisms for Emotions Uses of Emotions How Emotions Change Summary and Discussion Notes to Chapter 7: Emotions 8. Consciousness Why Consciousness Matters to Mind and Society Psychological Theories of Consciousness Neural Mechanisms for Consciousness Uses of Consciousness Summary and Discussion Notes to Chapter 8: Consciousness 9. Action and Intention Why Actions Matter to Mind and Society Psychological Theories of Action, Intention, and Will Neural Mechanisms for Action and Intention Uses of Action and Intention The Will Summary and Discussion Notes to Chapter 9: Action 10. Language Why Language Matters to Mind and Society Syntax First: Chomsky Integrating Syntax, Semantics, and Phonology Meaning Conceptual Blending Metaphor Innateness and Language Learning Summary and Discussion Notes to Chapter 10: Language 11. Creativity Why Creativity Matters to Mind and Society What is Creativity? Images Concepts Rules Procedural Creativity Analogies and Metaphors Emotions Case Study: CRISPR/Cas9 Summary and Discussion Notes to Chapter 11: Creativity 12. The Self Why the Self Matters to Mind and Society What is the Self? Semantic Pointers for Self-Representation Semantic Pointer Mechanisms for Self-Effecting and Self-Changing Multilevel Systems Molecular Mechanisms Social Mechanisms Summary and Discussion Notes to Chapter 12: Self References Index

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Book SynopsisThis book takes readers to Antarctica, the Arctic and the high mountains, to see what is happening to their ice, snow and permafrost. Ice and snow reflect solar energy back to space, keeping the planet cool. As global overheating melts them away, we are losing this refrigeration factor, which adds to global overheating. The author begins by laying out the evidence for carbon dioxide as the control knob of climate, and hence of sea level, for the past 1000 million years, before exploring the effects of climate change in the three main icy regions. He shows us how climate change will likely affect us and the planet as we approach the end of this century and beyond. His story ends by analysing how politics and economics are determining our response to global overheating, reminding readers of the enormous global challenges inherent in changing from a fossil fuel to a renewable energy infrastructure. There is no overnight solution. Can we save Earth''s refrigerator? Will Net Zero work? Addressing these key questions Summerhayes is cautiously optimistic about our chances provided we have the collective will to act on what we know.Trade ReviewIn The Icy Planet, apart from offering the reader all they need to know about the world's coldest places, Colin Summerhayes addresses in well-researched and readable detail the role of ice as the bellwether of global warming. Fascinating and sometimes frightening, it examines the speed with which the frozen environment is being depleted, and the signals that sends out for the future of us all. This is a book both arresting and alarming. * Sir Michael Palin, Writer and Presenter of Travel Documentaries including Pole-to-Pole and Erebus: The Story of a Ship *'Out of sight, out of mind' is the view that most people have of Earth's vast expanses of ice. This book takes us on a fascinating tour of our icy realms, the critical role they play in the functioning of the Earth System, and the startling human-driven changes that are afflicting them—essential reading for anyone interested in the future of our planet. * Will Steffen, Professor, Australian National University, Canberra *Colin Summerhayes introduces readers to the significance of the changing character of ice within the regions of the 'three poles.' His unique perspective comes from a career in science leadership roles, where he was a keen observer of and synthesizer of emerging research. Along with a narrative related to his travels, the book provides a holistic understanding of ice and climate in a world which has only recently begun to realize the power of both. * Paul Andrew Mayewski, Professor and Director, Climate Change Institute, University of Maine, USA *Colin Summerhayes condenses the wisdom of a long career in polar and climate research to reveal the fundamental importance of Earth's refrigerator. The huge blocks of frozen water that cap the polar regions and high mountains may be remote from where most of us live, but have profound implications for all of us, in shaping our planet's climate, weather, water supply, and even food security, while also sustaining fascinating and unique wildlife. His first-hand account takes readers on a unique journey of appreciation for our world's coldest places. * Tony Juniper CBE, Environmentalist *Due to global climate change the large ice sheets of Antarctica and Greenland influence the height of sea levels, while mountain glaciers influence the water supplies for surrounding populations. Melting permafrost changes ecosystems and creates significant natural hazards. Using his vast field experience, Colin Summerhayes draws attention to these dynamics and their effects on nature and society in an important book with a popular orientation. * Heinz Wanner, Professor, Oeschger Centre for Climate Change Research, University of Bern *The increasing loss of the Earth's cryosphere is one of the most significant problem's facing humanity today. Dr Summerhayes has written a comprehensive book introducing the reader to the world of ice on our planet, how it responds and impacts climate, how it is the home to unique ecosystems, and most importantly, how ice and permafrost loss will lead to dramatic changes to our world. * W. Berry Lyons, Professor, Ohio State University *The book provides an excellent, well-referenced overview of Earth's cryosphere, including valid concerns about its near-term evolution. * Choice *Table of ContentsPreface Chapter 1: Introduction Chapter 2: Icehouse Climates Chapter 3: East Antarctica - the World's Biggest Ice Cube Chapter 4: West Antarctica and Dry Valleys Chapter 5: The Antarctica Peninsula, the Falklands and South Georgia Chapter 6: The Arctic Chapter 7: The Third Pole - Mountain Ice Chapter 8: Rising Seas Chapter 9: Our Future Epilogue End Notes (references) List of Figure Permissions Index

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Book SynopsisWeather has always affected human life. Understanding how weather events form and predicting what kind of weather is coming can help enormously to manage weather-risk and will become even more important as we shift towards strongly weather-dependent energy sources. Some big steps forward in numerical weather prediction have been made in the past 40 years, thanks to advances in four key areas: the way we observe the Earth, the scientific understanding of the phenomena, advances in high-performance computing (that have allowed the use of increasingly complex models), and improved modelling techniques. Today we are capable of predicting extreme events such as hurricanes and extra-tropical windstorms very accurately up to 7 to 10 days ahead. We can predict the most likely path and intensity of storms before they hit a community, estimate the confidence level of the forecast, and can give very valuable indications of their probable impact. Larger-scale phenomena that affect entire countriesTable of ContentsPreface 1 Weather And Climate 1.1 What Is The Key Difference Between Weather And Climate? 1.2 Do Weather And Climate Vary Spatially And Temporally? 1.3 Is There A Clear Separation Between Weather And Climate? 1.4 Is Weather Affected By All (Small-And-Fast And Large-And-Slow) Phenomena? 1.5 Which Coordinate System Is Used To Study Atmospheric And Oceanic Motions? 1.6 What Are The Key Weather Variables? 1.7 Why Does Weather Change? 1.8 How Are Motions In The Atmosphere Generated? 1.9 Key Points Discussed In Chapter One 'Weather And Climate' 2 The Earth System 2.1 What Does 'Earth System' Mean In Numerical Weather Prediction? 2.2 What Is An Accurate And Skilful Forecast? 2.3 What Are The Key Building Blocks Of An Earth System Model? 2.4 What Are The Key Processes Simulated By An Earth System Model? 2.5 How Is Heat Transported And Exchanged In The Earth System? 2.6 Where Does The Energy That Drives The Earth Climate Come From? 2.7 What Are The Key Similarities And Differences Of The Atmosphere And The Ocean? 2.8 Key Points Discussed In Chapter Two 'The Earth-System' 3 Observing The Earth System 3.1 Why Do We Need Observations? 3.2 What Are The Key Observation Types? 3.3 Are Observations Affected By Errors? 3.4 How Do Observation Information And Errors Propagate? 3.5 Did Covid Affect Weather Forecast Quality? 3.6 How Do We Observe The State Of The Atmosphere Using Satellites? 3.7 Do We Have Enough Observations To Determine The State Of The Earth-System? 3.8 Is It Important To Observe The Whole Atmosphere? 3.9 Key Points Discussed In Chapter Three 'Observing The Earth System' 4 Modelling The Earth System 4.1 From Where Should We Start To Model The Earth System? 4.2 What Are The State Variables Of A System? 4.3 How Many Variables Define The State Of The Whole Earth System? 4.4 What Is An Equation? 4.5 What Are Analytical And Numerical Solutions Of An Equation? 4.6 How Do We Deduce The Equations Used To Predict The Weather And The Climate? 4.7 What Is An Example Of A Set Of Equations That Can Predict The Weather? 4.8 How Do We Solve The Primitive Equations? 4.9 What Is The Difference Between A Prognostic And A Diagnostic Equation? 4.10 Can We Use Simple Models To Understand The Behaviour Of Complex Systems? 4.11 Key Points Discussed In Chapter Four 'Modelling The Earth System' 5 Numerical Weather Prediction 5.1 How Do We Solve Numerically The Primitive Equations? 5.2 What Are The Key Steps Involved In Operational Weather Prediction? 5.3 How Do We Determine The Initial Conditions? 5.4 What Is Data Assimilation? 5.5 Do We Need A Super-Computer For Numerical Weather Prediction? 5.6 Do We Need An Earth-System Model To Predict The Weather? 5.7 What Are The Key Differences Between A Global And A Limited-Area Model? 5.8 How Can We Assess Whether A Model Is Realistic And Accurate? 5.9 How Much Data Is Involved In Weather Prediction? 5.10 Key Points Discussed In Chapter Five 'Numerical Weather Prediction' 6 Chaos And Weather Prediction 6.1 What Is A Chaotic System? 6.2 What Is The Lorenz' 3-Dimensional Model? 6.3 What Is The 'Butterfly Effect'? 6.4 What Are The Sources Of Forecast Error? 6.5 How Can We Reduce Initial Condition Uncertainties? 6.6 How Can We Reduce Model Uncertainties? 6.7 How Do We Measure Forecast Errors? 6.8 What Is An Ensemble? 6.9 Are Ensemble Forecasts More Valuable Than Single Ones? 6.10 Key Points Discussed In Chapter Six 'Chaos And Weather Prediction' 7 Dealing With Uncertainties And Probabilistic Forecasting 7.1 How Do We Build An 'Accurate And Reliable' Ensemble? 7.2 What Is A Probabilistic Forecast? 7.3 How Can We Communicate Forecast Uncertainty? 7.4 How Can We Take Decisions Using Probabilistic Forecasts? 7.5 What Is A Scenario Forecast? 7.6 What Is A Cluster Analysis? 7.7 How Do We Measure The Accuracy And Reliability Of A Probabilistic Forecast? 7.8 What Are Reforecasts And Reanalyses? 7.9 Why Are Reanalyses And Reforecasts Useful? 7.10 Key Points Discussed In Chapter Seven 'Dealing With Uncertainties And Probabilistic Forecasting' 8 The Forecast Skill Horizon 8.1 Are Weather Forecasts More Accurate And Reliable Today Than In The Past? 8.2 How Did We Succeed To Improve The Accuracy And Reliability Of Weather Forecasts? 8.3 Can We Visualize In A Single Diagram Our Prediction Capabilities? 8.4 Why Does The Forecast Skill Depend On The Phenomena We Are Trying To Predict? 8.5 Are Extreme Events More Difficult To Predict Than The 'Normal' Weather? 8.6 What Is The Minimum Spatial Scale That A Model Can Simulate Realistically? 8.7 What Is The Minimum Spatial Scale Properly Resolved In Data Assimilation? 8.8 How Can We Further Extend Predictability? 8.9 Key Points Discussed In Chapter Eight 'The Forecast Skill Horizon' 9 Climate Change And Numerical Weather Prediction 9.1 Why Should We Talk About Climate Change In This Book? 9.2 What Is The Greenhouse Effect? 9.3 What Is The State Of The Climate? 9.4 How Much Greenhouse Gases Do We Emit In The Atmosphere? 9.5 Is There A Link Between Greenhouse Gas Emissions And Average Global Warming? 9.6 Are We Responsible For Climate Change? 9.7 What Are The Key Sources Of Uncertainty Affecting Climate Predictions? 9.8 What Do We Mean With 'Initial Value' And 'Boundary Condition' Problems? 9.9 Has Climate Change Impacted Weather Prediction? 9.10 Has Numerical Weather Prediction Helped Understanding Climate Change? 9.11 Which Aspects Of The Future Climate Can We Predict? 9.12 Key Points Discussed In Chapter Nine 'Climate Change And Numerical Weather Prediction' 10 A Look Into The Future 10.1 What Are The Focus Areas Of Research In Numerical Weather Prediction? 10.2 What Is An Earth Digital Twin? 10.3 Will We Be Able To Continue To Improve The Quality Of Weather Forecasts? 10.4 Will We Ever Be Able To Issue A 'Perfect' Forecast? 10.5 In 2050, Will We Be Able To Predict The Local Weather Of The Next Season? 10.6 Can Artificial Intelligence Lead To Improve Predictions? 10.7 What Is An 'Environmental Prediction Model'? 10.8 Is Weather Prediction Evolving Into Environmental Prediction? 10.9 As Global Models Keep Increasing Resolution, Will We Still Use Limited-Area Model? 10.10 Would A Future Operational Suite Look Very Different From Today's One? 10.11 Key Points Discussed In Section 10 'A Look Into The Future' Essential Glossary Further Reading Useful Links The Author

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Book SynopsisWhat''s the use of philosophy? Philip Kitcher here grapples with an essential philosophical question: what the point of philosophy is, and what it should and can be. Kitcher''s portrait of the discipline is not a familiar defense of the importance of philosophy or the humanities writ large. Rather, he is deeply critical of philosophy as it is practiced today, a practice focused on narrow technical questions that are far removed from the concerns of human life. He provides a penetrating diagnosis of why exactly contemporary philosophy has come to suffer this crisis, showing how it suffers from various syndromes that continue to push it further into irrelevance. Then, taking up ideas from William James and John Dewey, Kitcher provides a positive roadmap for the future of philosophy: first, as a discipline that can provide clarity to other kinds of human inquiry, such as religion or science; and second, bringing order to people''s notions of the world, dispelling confusion in favor of clarity, and helping us think through our biggest human questions and dilemmas. Kitcher concludes with a letter to young philosophers who wonder how they can align their aspirations with the hyper-professionalism expected of them.Trade ReviewWith an inimitable combination of sharpness, generosity, elegance and wit, Kitcher diagnoses the malaise that many philosophers have long felt about our profession but have been unable to articulate with such breadth and clarity. Perhaps no one has the skills or the standing that Kitcher possesses to do so ... The book pulls no punches in showing how far contemporary philosophy has diverged from its original goals ... Yet Kitcher does not merely lament the ways in which philosophy has abandoned its traditional roles. With characteristic and sympathetic understanding, Kitcher provides a genealogy which shows how so many of philosophy's virtues have turned into flaws ... This will be read by every disaffected philosopher, and may convince many outside it to take the promise of philosophy seriously again. An extraordinary and much-needed book. * Susan Neiman, Einstein Forum, Germany *A spirited love letter to a discipline that enthralls and disappoints in equal measure. Rather than give way to gloom, Philip Kitcher asks us to dream of a philosophy that demands and does more. * Amia Srinivasan, All Souls College, Oxford *This book is challenging in the best sense: indeed, what use is philosophy? But it is also straightforward and charming - and exceedingly persuasive. * Nancy Cartwright, Durham University *Philip Kitcher's new book is a perceptive and uncompromising assessment of trends and fashions and parochialism in contemporary professional philosophy. The antithesis of parochialism is cosmopolitanism and Kitcher is a true cosmopolitan. * Clark Glymour *Urging his fellow philosophers to lift their gaze from narrow technical problems toward issues that really matter, Philip Kitcher's concise, lively book is as exciting as it is important. * Michael Ruse, Florida State University (Emeritus) *Philip Kitcher makes a compelling case for a redirection of philosophy away from what are sometimes called "core areas" and toward issues that are of more interest and value within our general intellectual culture - issues often relegated to the periphery of our discipline. These include, among others, philosophy of the various empirical sciences, moral and political philosophy done in a way that is practically useful, and philosophical engagement with the arts. This book is must reading for anyone alarmed about the future of philosophy and its current tendencies toward scholasticism and irrelevance. A brave and important book. * James Woodward, University of Pittsburgh *In this excellent book...Kitcher has useful things to say how philosophy and science can work together. * Quassim Cassam, The Society *Table of ContentsPreface Chapter 1 - Philosophy Inside Out Chapter 2 - "So Who Is Your Audience?" Chapter 3 - Pathology Report Chapter 4 - The Whole Function of Philosophy Chapter 5 - Letter to Some Young Philosophers References

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Book SynopsisThe questions and dilemmas of bioethics touch everyone. Should people who refuse to be vaccinated be treated for COVID-19, even if that displaces vaccinated patients with other serious conditions? What restrictions on abortion should there be, if any? Should women be paid to donate eggs? Bioethics: What Everyone Needs to Know discusses these and other similar questions facing the public today--as well as providing a way for thinking deeply about them.Steinbock and Menzel first examine major moral theories and how they can be used to analyze bioethical issues. They then provide historical background to the birth of bioethics and explain how it shifted from a paternalistic doctor knows best approach to respect for autonomy, a fundamental value in contemporary bioethics. Subsequent chapters cover advance directives, experimentation on human subjects, the definition of death, physician-assisted dying, abortion, disability, just healthcare systems, the allocation of scarce resources, pharmTrade ReviewThe book's coverage is excellent and more than sufficient to ground a robust understanding of contemporary bioethics. * Choice *

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Book SynopsisCould the race to de-carbonize our energy systems be leading us closer to environmental disaster?Why did biology choose carbon, in a variety of compounds, as its energy carrier and storage substance? From the smallest life forms, through multicellular organisms, and up to whole ecosystems, this economy of carbon compounds is fundamentally sustainable. Yet today, many are working to expunge carbon-based energy carriers from human economies, replacing them with solutions based on other elements and minerals. In The Decarbonization Delusion, independent scientist and writer Andrew Moore shows that the race to decarbonize is leading us further down the road to environmental degradation. Instead of banishing carbon, Moore argues that we should look to life on Earth, which has used carbon in highly sustainable ways for 3.5 billion years, as a model for how humans can use carbon sustainably.The Decarbonization Delusion begins by discussing carbon''s role in the inception of the universe and iTable of ContentsAcknowledgments Foreword Chapter 1: What carbon "does" in the universe - From the first stars to life on Earth Chapter 2: The carbon economy of nutrition and food production - Getting out of control in most respects Chapter 3: Sources and sinks - Where carbon compounds accumulate on Earth, and what they do there Chapter 4: Fuels, efficiency, and emissions - Understanding carbon-based energy carriers in the larger picture of sustainability Chapter 5: The call to "decarbonize" - Public perception, hard-to-abate carbon-positives, and hard-to-achieve carbon-negatives Chapter 6: Decarbonizing the car - Trading off CO2 against larger environmental problems? Chapter 7: A carbonaceous, biology-inspired recipe for sensible and environmentally-conscious energy economies List of figures References Index of topics

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Book SynopsisThe Moon is the most viewed object in the sky, the Sun being too bright to look at directly and the planets too far away. The Greeks deduced everything that could be learned about the Moon using only the naked eye, including that it has no light of its own but reflects that of the Sun. They understood the cause of eclipses and used the Earth''s shadow on the Moon to conclude that our planet is a sphere and to calculate the size of both the Moon and the Earth. The invention of the telescope some two millennia later offered the opportunity for much greater understanding, but the early observers became sidetracked onto a dead end: First, they fooled themselves into believing that they saw evidence of life on the Moon, even the works of a civilization. Second, they became convinced that the craters of the Moon were volcanoes like those we have on the Earth. These wrong-headed beliefs took centuries to dispel. The origin of the Moon itself has proven an even more difficult question, but scientists have now closed in on the answer. They find that our placid and seemingly unchanging Moon was born in colossal violence as a planet the size of Mars crashed into the primordial Earth and flung off a blob that solidified to become our heavenly companion. Unlocking the Moon''s Secrets follows these developments to show how science evolves, complete with misunderstandings, contentious arguments, difficult to relinquish assumptions, and shifting views as new facts come to light. Thanks to the work of generations of determined scientists, we understand our Moon, at last.

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Book SynopsisFor millennia, human societies have viewed the ocean as a dumping ground for waste products of all kinds. The sources of marine pollution are extensive, including oil spills, sewage, fertilizers, pesticides, industrial wastes, heavy metals, ocean acidification, plastics, and even invasive species, considered biological pollution. Yet, the solutions are not as clear.Updated to reflect recent research, this book discusses the sources of marine pollutants, their effects on marine organisms and humans, and how to reduce or eliminate them. Weis covers the aftermath of oil spills in addition to emerging topics like flame retardants, pharmaceuticals, noise pollution, and PFAS. A new chapter examines the prevalence of microplastics and how they rise through the food chain into human beings, along with their associated toxic chemicals. Additional chapters address the deadly effects of climate change in the ocean but also focus on actions that all people can take, citing recent environmental improvements as a cause for hope.

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Book SynopsisFlora of North America represents the first and only comprehensive taxonomic guide to the extraordinary diversity of plant life in North America north of Mexico. The collaborative effort of more than 30 major U.S. and Canadian botanical institutions, this series revises and synthesizes literally thousands of floristic monographs and regional floras published over the last three centuries.Flora of North America North of Mexico Volume 13: Magnoliophyta: Geraniaceae to Apiaceae includes treatments prepared by 60 authors covering 624 species in 147 genera classified in 14 families. Apiaceae, the carrot or parsley family, is by far the largest family in the volume with 403 species, and includes many economically important plants that are used for food, spices, medicine, and ornamentals, as well as some species that are notoriously toxic. Many species are narrow endemics, a significant number of which have been described only recently. The treatment brings together the latest taxonomic and phylogenetic information on this diverse family. Some other families in the volume that have significant numbers of species include Anacardiaceae, Araliaceae, Geraniaceae, Rutaceae, and Sapindaceae. Descriptions for all families, genera, species, and infraspecies are provided, as are occurrence maps for all species and infraspecies. Every genus and 30% of the species are illustrated. Keys are included to aid in the identification of taxa at all ranks. Volume 13 is the twenty-fifth volume to be published in the planned 30-volume Flora of North America North of Mexico series.

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Book SynopsisEarth in Flames discusses how the dinosaurs died, and how their deaths parallel what might happen to people after a nuclear war. The book reflects on the odds of future asteroid impacts, how to stop them, and what the readers personally and together can do to prevent a nuclear war, so that humans don't end up like the dinosaurs.

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Book SynopsisPlease note this title is suitable for any student studying:Exam Board: AQA Level: AS Level Subject: Physics First teaching: September 2015 First exams: June 2017Fully revised and updated for the linear qualification, written and checked by curriculum and specification experts, this Student Book supports and extends students through the course whilst delivering the maths, practical and synoptic skills needed to succeed at A Level and beyond. The book uses clear straightforward explanations to develop real subject knowledge and allow students to link ideas together while developing essential exam skills.Trade Review"Very helpful and just what I needed" * Amazon review, Dec 2015 *"A very well written book with an excellent, tangible format unlike some other similar products. Plenty of questions related to each topic immediately at the end of each subsection". * Amazon review, Dec 2015 *

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Book SynopsisPlease note this title is suitable for any student studying:Exam Board: AQA Level: A Level Subject: PhysicsFirst teaching: September 2015 First exams: June 2017This AQA A Level Physics Revision Guide is exactly matched to the current specification, providing comprehensive, specification-linked content, so you can be sure you are covering everything you need to know for the exams. It''s packed with engaging revision and practice material to keep you focused and contains a wealth of exam-style questions to test your knowledge and skills to help you fully prepare for the exams.

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Book SynopsisWritten by curriculum and specification experts, this Student Book supports and extends students through their course while delivering the breadth, depth, and skills needed to succeed at A Level and beyond. It develops true subject knowledge while also developing essential exam skills.

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Book SynopsisPlease note this title is suitable for any student studying:Exam Board: OCR Level: A Level Subject: Biology AFirst teaching: September 2015 First exams: June 2017Exactly matched to the OCR A Level Biology A specification, the Revision Guide provides comprehensive, specification-linked content, so you can be sure you are covering everything you need to know for the exams. It is packed with engaging revision and practice material to keep you focused and contains a wealth of exam-style questions to test your knowledge and skills to help you fully prepare for the exams.Table of ContentsModule 2 Foundations in Biology Chapter 2 Basic components of living systems Chapter 3 Biological molecules Chapter 4 Enzymes Chapter 5 Plasma memebranes Chapter 6 Cell division Module 3 Exchange and transport Chapter 7 Exchange surfaces and breathing Chapter 8 Transport in animals Chapter 9 Transport in plants Module 4 Biodiversity, evolution, and disease Chapter 10 Classification and evolution Chapter 11 Biodiversity Chapter 12 Communicable diseases Module 5 Communication, homeostasis, and energy Chapter 13 Neuronal communication Chapter 14 Hormonal communication Chapter 15 Homeostasis Chapter 16 Plant responses Chapter 17 Energy for biological processes Chapter 18 Respiration Module 6 Genetics, evolution, and ecosystems Chapter 19 Genetics of living systems Chapter 20 Patterns of inheritance and variation Chapter 21 Manipulating genomes Chapter 22 Cloning and biotechnology Chapter 23 Ecosystems Chapter 24 Populations and sustainability Answers to practice questions Answers to summary questions

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Book SynopsisPlease note this title is suitable for any student studying:Exam Board: OCR Level: A Level Year 2Subject: Chemistry First teaching: September 2015 First exams: June 2017Written by curriculum and specification experts in partnership with OCR, this Student Book supports and extends students through the new course while delivering the breadth, depth, and skills needed to succeed in the new A Level and beyond. It develops true subject knowledge while also developing essential exam skills. Covers the second year worth of content required for the new OCR Chemistry A A Level specification.

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Book SynopsisPlease note this title is suitable for any student studying:Exam Board: AQA Level: A Level Year 2Subject: Chemistry First teaching: September 2015 First exams: June 2017Written and checked by curriculum and specification experts, this Student Book supports and extends students through the course while delivering the breadth, depth, and skills needed to succeed at A Level and beyond. Covers all the content required for the second year of AQA A Level Chemistry studies.

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Book SynopsisPlease note this title is suitable for any student studying: Exam Board: AQA Level: A Level Subject: PhysicsFirst teaching: September 2015First exams: June 2017Written and checked by curriculum and specification experts, this Student Book supports and extends students through the course while delivering the breadth, depth, and skills needed to succeed at A Level and beyond.

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Book SynopsisThe only textbook that completely covers the OxfordAQA International AS & A Level Biology specification (9610), for first teaching in September 2016.Written by experienced authors, the engaging, enquiry-based approach ensures a thorough understanding of complex concepts and provides exam-focused practice to build assessment confidence. Help students to develop the scientific, mathematical and practical skills and knowledge needed for assessment success and the step up to university. It ensures that students understand the bigger picture, supporting their progression to further study, with synoptic links and a focus on how scientists and engineers apply their knowledge in real life.

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Book SynopsisThe only textbook that completely covers the OxfordAQA International AS & A Level Physics specification (9630), for first teaching in September 2016.Written by experienced authors, the engaging, international approach ensures a thorough understanding of complex concepts and provides exam-focused practice to build assessment confidence. Help students develop the scientific, mathematical and practical skills and knowledge needed for Oxford AQA assessment success and the step up to university. Ensure students understand the bigger picture, supporting their progression to further study, with synoptic links and a focus on how scientists and engineers apply their knowledge in real life.

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Book SynopsisThis book explains the ideas and techniques of statistical mechanics-the theory of condensed matter-in a simple and progressive way. The text starts with the laws of thermodynamics and simple ideas of quantum mechanics. The conceptual ideas underlying the subject are explained carefully; the mathematical ideas are developed in parallel to give a coherent overall view. The text is illustrated with examples not just from solid state physics, but also from recent theories of radiation from black holes and recent data on the background radiation from the Cosmic background explorer. In this second edition, slightly more advanced material on statistical mechanics is introduced, material which students should meet in an undergraduate course. As a result the new edition contains three more chapters on phase transitions at an appropriate level for an undergraduate student. There are plenty of problems at the end of each chapter, and brief model answers are provided for odd-numbered problems. From reviews of the first edition: ''...Introductory Statistical Mechanics is clear and crisp and takes advantage of the best parts of the many approaches to the subject'' Physics Today

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Book SynopsisQuantum optics: an introduction is a modern textbook written primarily for advanced undergraduate and masters level students in physics. In addition to standard topics, the text includes a broad range of topics in applied quantum optics such as laser cooling, Bose-Einstein condensation and quantum information processing.Trade Review'Fox has done a remarkable job at picking the key topics from a broad field. A genuinely interesting experiment in undergraduate education could be put together on the basis of Fox's textbook.' Physics Today, September 2007This is a modern text on quantum optics for advanced undergraduate students. It provides explanations based primarily on intuitive physical understanding, rather than mathematical derivations. The book also includes worked examples and exercises. * CERN Courier *Table of ContentsPART I: INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND; PART II: PHOTONS; PART III: ATOM-PHOTON INTERACTIONS; PART IV: QUANTUM INFORMATION PROCESSING; APPENDICES

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Book SynopsisMicroscopy is a dynamic area of science, incorporating both basic classroom microscopes and sophisticated research style instruments that can be driven by light, electrons, or X-rays. The rate of advance in the area over the last 50 years has led to a number of technological advances. In this Very Short Introduction Terence Allen, an established expert on microscope techniques, describes the scientific principles behind the main forms of microscopy, and the exciting new developments in the field. Focusing on the main underlying principles, and introducing the power of what is achievable today using microscopes, Allen demonstrates how microscopy impinges on almost every aspect of our daily lives; from medical diagnosis to quality control in manufacture. Beginning with a brief history of the early stages of microscopy development, Allen then concludes with a comprehensive account of the diverse spectrum of microscopy available today. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.Trade ReviewThe author has succeeded, in his turn, in fulfilling the requirements and goals behind the idea of writing a very short introduction about microscopy. Every chapter in his book is stimulating to anyone curious about microscopy. I invite you to read Microscopy: A very short Introduction by Terence Allen. * Ahmed A. Al-Tabbakh, Contemporary Physics *Table of Contents1. Microscopy and the discovery of a new world ; 2. A spectrum of microscopies ; 3. Light microscopy- from Abbe to superresolution ; 4. Identifying what we see- from FISH to quantum dots ; 5. Electron microscopy-The dawn of atomic resolution ; 6. The Electron microscopy of surfaces- scanning electron microscopy ; 7. Microscopy and nanotechnology- magnification by other routes ; 8. The impact of microscopy ; Further reading ; Index

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Book SynopsisNuclear Magnetic Resonance offers an accessible introduction to the physical principles of liquid-state NMR, with examples, applications, and exercises provided throughout to enable beginning undergraduates to get to grips with this important analytical technique.Trade ReviewThis book is indisputably a must have for any student, or even teacher, in the field of nuclear magnetic resonance. It is a perfect format for preparing readers for more advanced studies on the topic. Theoretical explanations are illustrated by many examples and applications, and this second edition has been completed with a series of exercises. * Sabine Bouguet-Bonnet, Universite de Lorraine, J. Appl. Cryst. (2017). 50, 1243 *This primer fully deserves to be widely adopted by students (and teachers) of NMR spectroscopy. This book is a complete and very accessible tool for understanding the origin and significance of the basic NMR parameters. * Sabine Bouguet-Bonnet, Universite de Lorraine, J. Appl. Cryst. (2017). 50, 1243 *Table of Contents1. Introduction ; 2. Chemical shifts ; 3. Spin-spin coupling ; 4. Chemical exchange ; 5. Spin relaxation ; 6. NMR experiments

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Book SynopsisHumans are rather weak when compared with many other animals. We are not particular fast and have no natural weapons. Yet Homo sapiens currently number nearly 7.5 billion and are set to rise to nearly 10 billion by the middle of this century. We have influenced almost every part of the Earth system and as a consequence are changing the global environmental and evolutionary trajectory of the Earth. So how did we become the worlds apex predator and take over the planet? Fundamental to our success is our intelligence, not only individually but more importantly collectively. But why did evolution favour the brainy ape? Given the calorific cost of running our large brains, not to mention the difficulties posed for childbirth, this bizarre adaptation must have given our ancestors a considerable advantage. In this book Mark Maslin brings together the latest insights from hominin fossils and combines them with evidence of the changing landscape of the East African Rift Valley to show how all tTrade ReviewThis book offers far more than a palaeoanthropological cocktail with a twist ... In synthesising the most recent research in palaeoanthropology and giving the ecology of our ancestors a climatological twist, Maslin has produced a book that is fascinating, humbling and informative. * Adrian Barnett, New Scientist *Impressively in-depth and well-explained mix of encyclopaedic information... There is an amazing amount of information packed into this surprisingly slim book. * Chris Fitch, Geographical *Palaeoclimatologist Mark Maslin delves into deep time to trace humanity's rise to geological hegemony. Examining early hominin finds in East Africa, he spotlights three stages (bipedalism in Australophithecus, a jump in brain size in Homo erectus and Homo sapiens' arrival some 195,000 years ago) and the roles of climate change, celestial mechanics and plate tectonics in their emergence. Ultimately, he theorizes that 'climate pulses' in the Rift Valley, in which hyper-arid conditions alternated with the formation of vast lakes, helped to drive the evolution of the big hominin brain. * Nature *Anyone who reads The Cradle of Humanity will certainly be enlightened about this awe-inspiring journey. * Andrew Robinson, Current World Archaeology *Understanding the emergence of our species from the unique landscapes of East Africa is one of the great scientific challenges. Mark Maslin takes us on an exhilarating intellectual journey, encompassing geology, astronomy, climate science and evolutionary biology, to argue that the unique landscape and ever-changing climate of the East African Rift Valley were instrumental in catalysing the emergence of a civilisation on our planet. I'm left with a dizzying feeling of our good fortune to be here at all, and a powerful sense of our responsibility, as Maslin notes, to earn our species name: "Wise"." * Professor Brian Cox *As we confront rapid, major changes in the earth's climate today, it is imperative we understand how past climate change made us who we are. This fast-paced book vividly tells the story of how and why shifting environments have been driving human evolution ever since our earliest beginnings in Africa, and why those changes matter. * Daniel E Lieberman, Harvard University, author of Story of the Human Body: Evolution, Health and Disease *An interesting and novel take on the subject ... a superb and highly recommended book that convincingly argues how the happenstance conditions in East Africa shaped us and our forebears. * Leon Vlieger, NHBS *A powerful, gripping account of how the dynamic earth shaped human evolution... With impressive ease, Maslin packs a tremendous amount of knowledge into a flowing narrative, making the point that special conditions for a number of species of tropical apes on the African continent eventually turned out to be luck... A tour de force through Earth's history and a timely reminder of just how lucky we are to be here at all. * Peter C. Kjærgaard, Director and Professor, Natural History Museum of Denmark *In this tale of mountains, monsoons, and meteorites, climate and ocean currents, Maslin masterfully puts human evolution into context, and shows how the earth and its environments have shaped us. * Professor Alice Roberts, anthropologist, author, and broadcaster *Table of Contents1: In the Beginning 2: Early Human Evolution 3: Tectonic and Climate 4: Cradle of Humanity 5: Global Climate Change 6: Celestial Mechanics 7: African Climate Pulses 8: The Social Brain 9: Future of Humanity 10: The story so far Further Reading

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Book SynopsisHumans are rather weak when compared with many other animals. We are not particularly fast and have no natural weapons. Yet Homo sapiens currently number nearly 7.5 billion and are set to rise to nearly 10 billion by the middle of this century. We have influenced almost every part of the Earth system and as a consequence are changing the global environmental and evolutionary trajectory of the Earth. So how did we become the worlds apex predator and take over the planet? Fundamental to our success is our intelligence, not only individually but more importantly collectively. But why did evolution favour the brainy ape? Given the calorific cost of running our large brains, not to mention the difficulties posed for childbirth, this bizarre adaptation must have given our ancestors a considerable advantage. In this book Mark Maslin brings together the latest insights from hominin fossils and combines them with evidence of the changing landscape of the East African Rift Valley to show how all these factors led to selection pressures that favoured our ultrasocial brains. Astronomy, geology, climate, and landscape all had a part to play in making East Africa the cradle of humanity and allowing us to dominate the planet.Trade ReviewThis book offers far more than a palaeoanthropological cocktail with a twist ... In synthesising the most recent research in palaeoanthropology and giving the ecology of our ancestors a climatological twist, Maslin has produced a book that is fascinating, humbling and informative. * Adrian Barnett, New Scientist *Impressively in-depth and well-explained mix of encyclopaedic information... There is an amazing amount of information packed into this surprisingly slim book. * Chris Fitch, Geographical *Palaeoclimatologist Mark Maslin delves into deep time to trace humanity's rise to geological hegemony. Examining early hominin finds in East Africa, he spotlights three stages (bipedalism in Australophithecus, a jump in brain size in Homo erectus and Homo sapiens' arrival some 195,000 years ago) and the roles of climate change, celestial mechanics and plate tectonics in their emergence. Ultimately, he theorizes that 'climate pulses' in the Rift Valley, in which hyper-arid conditions alternated with the formation of vast lakes, helped to drive the evolution of the big hominin brain. * Nature *Anyone who reads The Cradle of Humanity will certainly be enlightened about this awe-inspiring journey. * Andrew Robinson, Current World Archaeology *Understanding the emergence of our species from the unique landscapes of East Africa is one of the great scientific challenges. Mark Maslin takes us on an exhilarating intellectual journey, encompassing geology, astronomy, climate science and evolutionary biology, to argue that the unique landscape and ever-changing climate of the East African Rift Valley were instrumental in catalysing the emergence of a civilisation on our planet. I'm left with a dizzying feeling of our good fortune to be here at all, and a powerful sense of our responsibility, as Maslin notes, to earn our species name: "Wise"." * Professor Brian Cox *As we confront rapid, major changes in the earth's climate today, it is imperative we understand how past climate change made us who we are. This fast-paced book vividly tells the story of how and why shifting environments have been driving human evolution ever since our earliest beginnings in Africa, and why those changes matter. * Daniel E Lieberman, Harvard University, author of Story of the Human Body: Evolution, Health and Disease *An interesting and novel take on the subject ... a superb and highly recommended book that convincingly argues how the happenstance conditions in East Africa shaped us and our forebears. * Leon Vlieger, NHBS *A powerful, gripping account of how the dynamic earth shaped human evolution... With impressive ease, Maslin packs a tremendous amount of knowledge into a flowing narrative, making the point that special conditions for a number of species of tropical apes on the African continent eventually turned out to be luck... A tour de force through Earth's history and a timely reminder of just how lucky we are to be here at all. * Peter C. Kjærgaard, Director and Professor, Natural History Museum of Denmark *In this tale of mountains, monsoons, and meteorites, climate and ocean currents, Maslin masterfully puts human evolution into context, and shows how the earth and its environments have shaped us. * Professor Alice Roberts, anthropologist, author, and broadcaster *Table of Contents1: Introduction2: Early Human Evolution3: Tectonics and Climate4: Cradle of Humanity5: Global Climate Change6: Celestial Mechanics7: African Climate Pulses8: The Social Brain9: The Future of HumanityFurther ReadingIndex

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Book SynopsisThe Emergent Multiverse presents a striking new account of the ''many worlds'' approach to quantum theory. The point of science, it is generally accepted, is to tell us how the world works and what it is like. But quantum theory seems to fail to do this: taken literally as a theory of the world, it seems to make crazy claims: particles are in two places at once; cats are alive and dead at the same time. So physicists and philosophers have often been led either to give up on the idea that quantum theory describes reality, or to modify or augment the theory. The Everett interpretation of quantum mechanics takes the apparent craziness seriously, and asks, ''what would it be like if particles really were in two places at once, if cats really were alive and dead at the same time''? The answer, it turns out, is that if the world were like that--if it were as quantum theory claims--it would be a world that, at the macroscopic level, was constantly branching into copies--hence the more sensationalist name for the Everett interpretation, the ''many worlds theory''. But really, the interpretation is not sensationalist at all: it simply takes quantum theory seriously, literally, as a description of the world. Once dismissed as absurd, it is now accepted by many physicists as the best way to make coherent sense of quantum theory.David Wallace offers a clear and up-to-date survey of work on the Everett interpretation in physics and in philosophy of science, and at the same time provides a self-contained and thoroughly modern account of it--an account which is accessible to readers who have previously studied quantum theory at undergraduate level, and which will shape the future direction of research by leading experts in the field.Trade ReviewThe Emergent Multiverse is the most extensive, careful, and wide-ranging discussion of Hugh Everetts so-called Many Worlds interpretation of quantum theory in existence (at least on our branch of the multiverse), and is certain to become the locus classicus for all future discussions of the theory. Since the first obligation of a reviewer is to give guidance to potential readers, I will discharge that obligation first: if you have any interest in studying or trying to understand the Everett theory, you must get this book. You wont find a better discussion of both foundational issues and far-flung consequences of the theory anywhere. David Wallace has been brooding on the theory, and fielding objections to it, for over a decade. His considered views and responses are as careful and sophisticated as any on the market, and are equally attuned to physical and to philosophical issues. * Tim Maudlin, Nous *This book is an outstanding achievement. It presents the current state of the art in the Everett interpretation to a depth and level of sophistication that will be appreciated by the leading experts in the foundations of quantum theory (of whom Wallace is one) -- and will educate them, and should chasten most of them. Yet, at the same time, the presentation is so clear and down-to-earth that this could serve as an introductory textbook for (say) undergraduates who are unfamiliar with any of the issues or even with quantum theory. This combination of relentlessly watertight argument with relentless common sense, however counter-intuitive the subject matter, is something Wallace is very good at. So much so that I think that even a philosophically-minded lay person, who would have to skip most of the technical discussion and equations, might nevertheless devour this book and learn a great deal from it * David Deutsch, Centre for Quantum Computatio, The Clarendon Laboratory, University of Oxford *Nobody has done more to defend, clarify and advance the Everett interpretation over the past dozen years than Wallace, and this book is the culmination of his work on this area. As those who have read Wallace's articles will expect, it is an excellent book, and should be required reading for anyone interested in the foundations of quantum mechanics * Peter J. Lewis, Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews *The dialogic interludes are insightful and entertaining. The quotations at the beginning of each sectionare incredibly to the point...I recommend to everyone, especially to sceptics of the MWI to read this book: enjoy the brilliant and engaging style... * Lev Vaidman, The British Journal for the Philosophy of Science *Table of ContentsPART I: THE PLURALITY OF WORLDS; PART II: PROBABILITY IN A BRANCHING UNIVERSE; PART III: QUANTUM MECHANICS, EVERETT STYLE; APPENDICES

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Book SynopsisBayesian ideas have recently been applied across such diverse fields as philosophy, statistics, economics, psychology, artificial intelligence, and legal theory. Fundamentals of Bayesian Epistemology examines epistemologists'' use of Bayesian probability mathematics to represent degrees of belief. Michael G. Titelbaum provides an accessible introduction to the key concepts and principles of the Bayesian formalism, enabling the reader both to follow epistemological debates and to see broader implicationsVolume 1 begins by motivating the use of degrees of belief in epistemology. It then introduces, explains, and applies the five core Bayesian normative rules: Kolmogorov''s three probability axioms, the Ratio Formula for conditional degrees of belief, and Conditionalization for updating attitudes over time. Finally, it discusses further normative rules (such as the Principal Principle, or indifference principles) that have been proposed to supplement or replace the core five.Volume 2 gives arguments for the five core rules introduced in Volume 1, then considers challenges to Bayesian epistemology. It begins by detailing Bayesianism''s successful applications to confirmation and decision theory. Then it describes three types of arguments for Bayesian rules, based on representation theorems, Dutch Books, and accuracy measures. Finally, it takes on objections to the Bayesian approach and alternative formalisms, including the statistical approaches of frequentism and likelihoodism.Table of ContentsQuick Reference Preface I Our Subject 1: Beliefs and Degrees of Belief II The Bayesian Formalism 2: Probability Distributions 3: Conditional Credences 4: Updating by Conditionalization 5: Further Rational Constraints

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Book SynopsisHow animals behave is crucial to their survival and reproduction. The application of new molecular tools such as DNA fingerprinting and genomics is causing a revolution in the study of animal behaviour, while developments in computing and image analysis allow us to investigate behaviour in ways never previously possible. By combining these with the traditional methods of observation and experiments, we are now learning more about animal behaviour than ever before.In this Very Short Introduction Tristram D. Wyatt discusses how animal behaviour has evolved, how behaviours develop in each individual (considering the interplay of genes, epigenetics, and experience), how we can understand animal societies, and how we can explain collective behaviour such as swirling flocks of starlings. Using lab and field studies from across the whole animal kingdom, he looks at mammals, butterflies, honeybees, fish, and birds, analysing what drives behaviour, and exploring instinct, learning, and culture. Looking more widely at behavioural ecology, he also considers some aspects of human behaviour.ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.Trade ReviewThis slim volume ... is packed full of facts, photographs, diagrams, and helpful graphs. Wyatt's writing is clear and concise, and the content is comprehensively referenced ... This is a fine book that will undoubtedly entertain and educate a broad readership. I highly recommend this book to anyone with even a marginal interest in animal behaviour. This work will be of interest to students of biology, researchers and non-specialists alike. * Billy Mills, New Nature *concise, informative and insightful introduction to the fascinating world of animal behaviour * Mark Greener, Fortean Times *read Wyatt's compelling introduction before you watch the next nature documentary. Itll deepen and widen your understanding and appreciation of these beautiful stories. If you're sitting comfortably, Wyatt's book is a great place to begin. * Mark Greener, Fortean Times *written in a very clear and engaging way, which should certainly stimulate general readers to explore animal behaviour in some depth. * Mark Briffa, Animal Behaviour *Bird watchers should take note of this book. Amateur entomologists should take note of it as well. Quite simply, if you spend any time at all observing, contemplating, or taking any notice whatsoever of the activities of animals, animal behavior is a subject about which you should have at least basic understanding... And as with so any subjects, a Very Short Introduction is a uperb place to begin. * The Well-read Naturalist *Table of ContentsREFERENCES; FURTHER READING; INDEX

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Book SynopsisA concise but comprehensive introduction to the biology of standing waters (lakes and ponds). As with other books in the Biology of Habitats Series, the emphasis in this book is on the organisms that dominate freshwater environments. Management and conservation aspects are also considered. The first edition of the book published in 1998 with a second, revised edition in 2005. There has been significant development in the field since the last revision appeared, particularly in the ecology of lakes and ponds in subtropical and tropical areas, and a new revision of this now classic text is timely.Trade ReviewLike the first 2 editions (1998, 2005), this one offers an excellent integration of information on limnology, ecology, evolution, and environmental science and a focus on adaptation of organisms to aquatic environments. In this edition, the authors incorporate new concepts, findings of current research, and discussion of new threats to aquatic biodiversity. * Conservation Biology *It does an excellent job at introducing a remarkably wide array of limnological concepts for such a small book. It is very readable and its style will inspire many undergraduate students. * Limnology and Oceanography Bulletin *Table of Contents1: Introduction 2: The abiotic frame and adaptations to cope with abiotic constraints 3: The organisms: the actors within the abiotic frame 4: Biotics: competition, herbivory, predation, parasitism, and symbiosis 5: Food web interactions in freshwater ecosystems 6: Biodiversity and environmental threats

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