The complex idea of 'species' has evolved over time, yet its meaning is far from resolved. This comprehensive work takes a fresh look at an idea central to the field of biology by tracing its history from antiquity to today. John S. Wilkins explores the essentialist view, a staple of logic from Plato and Aristotle through the Middle Ages to fairly recent times, and considers the idea of species in natural history - a concept often connected to reproduction. Tracing 'generative conceptions' of species back through Darwin to Epicurus, Wilkins provides a new perspective on the relationship between philosophical and biological approaches to this concept. He also reviews the array of current definitions. "Species" is a benchmark exploration and clarification of a concept fundamental to the past, present, and future of the natural sciences.

Produktinformation

Utgivningsdatum2009-09-08
Mått152 x 229 x 25 mm
Vikt635 g
FormatInbunden
SpråkEngelska
SerieSpecies and Systematics
Antal sidor320
FörlagUniversity of California Press
ISBN9780520260856

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Djurböcker inom Djur och natur
Biovetenskap inom Naturvetenskap och teknik

Preface vii Acknowledgments xiii Prologue 1 The Classical Era: Science by Division 9 The Medieval Bridge 35 Species and the Birth of Modern Science 47 The Early Nineteenth Century: A Period of Change 97 Darwin and the Darwinians 129 The Species Problem Arises 165 The Synthesis and Species 181 Modern Debates 197 Reproductive Isolation Concepts 197 Evolutionary Species Concepts 201 Phylogenetic Species Concepts 205 Other Species Concepts 216 Historical Summary and Conclusions 227 Notes 235 References 251 Index 289 About the Author

"The most comprehensive, encyclopedic account of the history of the thinking about species... Truly impressive." Science & Education "The most comprehensive work of its kind. It will appeal to students in a diverse set of disciplines... Highly recommended." Choice "Provides a comprehensive and interesting synthesis of the species problem today in the context of changing ideologies through history." Journal Of Human Evolution Blog "Provides a thorough background in this important topic... A valuable resource." Nsta Recommends "No other book provides this kind of comprehensive, historical account of the thinking about species. As reference work, this book is impressive." Int'l History, Philosophy, & Science Teaching Group Newsletter "A useful source for literature, ideas, and history of the topic." -- James Mallet Integrative & Comparative Bio (Sicb) "Provides an encyclopedic history of the idea of species from Plato to the present." Darwinian Conservatism Blog "[A] congenial book." Oxford Journal "It is difficult to find anything to dislike about Wilkins's study. The breadth of the work is staggering, and the amount of research that went into its discussion of every major intellectual figure and conceptual player in the species debates from Plato onward is readily apparent at every turn." -- Charles H. Pence Evolution: Education and Outreach