Description
Book SynopsisA COMPANION TO THE PHILOSOPHY OF BIOLOGY Sarkar is to be congratulated for assembling this talented team of philosophers, who are themselves to be congratulated for writing these interesting essays on so many fascinating areas in philosophy of biology. This book will be a wonderful resource for future work.
Elliot Sober, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Many of the discussions here start with a definition of terms and a historical context of the subject before delving into the deeper philosophical issues, making it a useful reference for students of biology as well as philosophy.
Northeastern Naturalist
The topics that are addressed are done so well. This book will appeal to the advanced student and knowledgeable amateur and may prove useful catalyst for discussion among research teams or those engaged in cross-disciplinary studies.
Reference Reviews
A Companion to the Philosophy of Biology offers concise overviews of philosophica
Trade Review
"This book is a companion to the philosophy of biology, and it not only should be of interest to scholars in philosophy of biology, but it also may be utilized by classroom educators teaching courses in philosophy of biology, theoretical biology, and evolutionary theory." (Science & Education, April 2010)
"Many of the discussions here start with a definition of terms and a historical context of the subject before delving into the deeper philosophical issues, making it a useful reference for students of biology as well as philosophy." (Northeastern Naturalist, April 2008)
"The topics that are addressed are done so well. This book will appeal to the advanced student and knowledgeable amateur and may prove useful catalyst for discussion among research teams or those engaged in cross-disciplinary studies." (Reference Reviews, February 2009)
"Sarkar and Plutynski have compiled a series of essays about the philosophical implications of traditional and emergent biological studies. Among the areas discussed are genetics, immunology and evolutionary psychology." (Columbia College Today Alumni Magazine, February 2009)
"A Companion to the Philosophy of Biology will be a very useful guide not only for philosophers but also for historians, sociologists and biologists. Its greatest asset is that it expands beyond the scope of recently published textbooks in philosophy of biology by including a detailed treatment of philosophical aspects of medicine, ecology, mind and behavior and that it places the themes in their historic context. The diversity of areas covered will appeal to students of general interest as well as specialists. Especially helpful is that most chapters end with an extended 'Reference' and often an additional 'Further reading' section that will allow readers to research the individual topics in greater depth." (Metapsychology Reviews Online)
"The book is similar to, though different enough to distinguish itself from, its closest kin, The Oxford Handbook of the Philosophy of Biology, edited by Michael Ruse (2008), and The Cambridge Companion to the Philosophy of Biology, edited by David Hull and Michael Ruse. They do not offer essays on language, biodiversity, or models, which are included in the present volume. Recommended." (Choice, November 2008)
Table of ContentsList of Figures viii
List of Tables x
Notes on Contributors xi
Acknowledgments xvii
Introduction xviii
Sahotra Sarkar and Anya Plutynski
Part I Molecular Biology and Genetics 1
1 Gene Concepts 3
Hans-Jörg Rheinberger and Staffan Müller-Wille
2 Biological Information 22
Stefan Artmann
3 Heredity and Heritability 40
Richard C. Lewontin
4 Genomics, Proteomics, and Beyond 58
Sahotra Sarkar
Part II Evolution 75
5 Darwinism and Neo-Darwinism 77
James G. Lennox
6 Systematics and Taxonomy 99
Marc Ereshefsky
7 Population Genetics 119
Christopher Stephens
8 The Units and Levels of Selection 138
Samir Okasha
9 Molecular Evolution 157
Michael R. Dietrich
10 Speciation and Macroevolution 169
Anya Plutynski
11 Adaptationism 186
Peter Godfrey-Smith and Jon F. Wilkins
Part III Developmental Biology 203
12 Phenotypic Plasticity and Reaction Norms 205
Jonathan M. Kaplan
13 Explaining the Ontogeny of Form: Philosophical Issues 223
Alan C. Love
14 Development and Evolution 248
Ron Amundson
Part IV Medicine 269
15 Self and Nonself 271
Moira Howes
16 Health and Disease 287
Dominic Murphy
Part V Ecology 299
17 Population Ecology 301
Mark Colyvan
18 Complexity, Diversity, and Stability 321
James Justus
19 Ecosystems 351
Kent A. Peacock
20 Biodiversity: Its Meaning and Value 368
Bryan G. Norton
Part VI Mind and Behavior 391
21 Ethology, Sociobiology, and Evolutionary Psychology 393
Paul E. Griffiths
22 Cooperation 415
J. McKenzie Alexander
23 Language and Evolution 431
Derek Bickerton
Part VII Experimentation, Theory, and Themes 453
24 What is Life? 455
Mark A. Bedau
25 Experimentation 472
Marcel Weber
26 Laws and Theories 489
Marc Lange
27 Models 506
Jay Odenbaugh
28 Function and Teleology 525
Justin Garson
29 Reductionism in Biology 550
Alexander Rosenberg
Index 568
