Species: A History of the Idea / Edition 1

by John S. Wilkins

Overview

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780520271395
Publisher:	University of California Press
Publication date:	11/01/2011
Series:	Species and Systematics , #1
Edition description:	First Edition
Pages:	320
Product dimensions:	5.60(w) x 8.70(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

John S. Wilkins is Research Fellow in Philosophy at the University of Sydney. He is the author of Defining Species: A Sourcebook from Antiquity to Today.

Table of Contents

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

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"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

"A useful source for literature, ideas, and history of the topic."—
Integrative & Comparative Bio (Sicb)

Editorial Reviews

Provides an encyclopedic history of the idea of species from Plato to the present.

Darwinian Conservatism Blog

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 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."

Ícaro|Ícaro|Ícaro|Int’l History

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

[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."

Evolution: Education and Outreach - Charles H. Pence

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

Provides a comprehensive and interesting synthesis of the species problem today in the context of changing ideologies through history.

Journal Of Human Evolution Blog

A useful source for literature, ideas, and history of the topic.

Integrative & Comparative Bio (Sicb) - James Mallet

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