A Companion to the Philosophy of Biology

by Sahotra Sarkar (Editor), Anya Plutynski (Editor)

Overview

A 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 philosophical issues raised by all areas of biology. Addressing both traditional and emerging areas of philosophical interest, the volume focuses on the philosophical implications of evolutionary theory as well as key topics such as molecular biology, immunology, and ecology

Comprising essays by top scholars in the field, this volume is an authoritative guide for professional philosophers, historians, sociologists and biologists, as well as an accessible reference work for students seeking to learn about this rapidly-changing field.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781444337853
Publisher:	Wiley
Publication date:	11/08/2010
Series:	Blackwell Companions to Philosophy , #90
Pages:	616
Product dimensions:	6.80(w) x 9.70(h) x 1.60(d)

About the Author

Sahotra Sarkar is Professor of Integrative Biology, Geography and the Environment, and Philosophy at the University of Texas at Austin. He is the author of Genetics and Reductionism: A Primer (1998), Biodiversity and Environmental Philosophy (2005), Molecular Models of Life (2005), Doubting Darwin? Creationist Designs on Evolution (2007); co-author of Systematic Conservation Planning (2007); editor of several books, including The Philosophy and History of Molecular Biology (1996), the six-volume Science and Philosophy in the Twentieth Century: Basic Works of Logical Empiricism (1996), and the two-volume The Philosophy of Science: An Encyclopedia (2006).

Anya Plutynski is Associate Professor of Philosophy at the University of Utah. She specializes in the history and philosophy of science.

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Table of Contents

List of Figures viii

List of Tables x

Notes on Contributors xi

Acknowledgments xvii

Introduction Sahotra Sarkar Anya Plutynski xviii

Part I Molecular Biology and Genetics 1

1 Gene Concepts Hans-Jörg Rheinberger Staffan Müller-Wille 3

2 Biological Information Stefan Artmann 22

3 Heredity and Heritability Richard C. Lewontin 40

4 Genomics, Proteomics, and Beyond Sahotra Sarkar 58

Part II Evolution 75

5 Darwinism and Neo-Darwinism James G. Lennox 77

6 Systematics and Taxonomy Marc Ereshefsky 99

7 Population Genetics Christopher Stephens 119

8 The Units and Levels of Selection Samir Okasha 138

9 Molecular Evolution Michael R. Dietrich 157

10 Speciation and Macroevolution Anya Plutynski 169

11 Adaptationism Peter Godfrey-Smith Jon F. Wilkins 186

Part III Developmental Biology 203

12 Phenotypic Plasticity and Reaction Norms Jonathan M. Kaplan 205

13 Explaining the Ontogeny of Form: Philosophical Issues Alan C. Love 223

14 Development and Evolution Ron Amundson 248

Part IV Medicine 269

15 Self and Nonself Moira Howes 271

16 Health and Disease Dominic Murphy 287

Part V Ecology 299

17 Population Ecology Mark Colyvan 301

18 Complexity, Diversity, and Stability James Justus 321

19 Ecosystems Kent A. Peacock 351

20 Biodiversity: Its Meaning and Value Bryan G. Norton 368

Part VI Mind and Behavior 391

21 Ethology, Sociobiology, and Evolutionary Psychology Paul E. Griffiths 393

22 Cooperation J. McKenzie Alexander 415

23 Language and Evolution Derek Bickerton 431

Part VII Experimentation, Theory, and Themes 453

24 What is Life? Mark A. Bedau 455

25 Experimentation Marcel Weber 472

26 Laws and Theories Marc Lange 489

27 Models Jay Odenbaugh 506

28 Function and Teleology Justin Garson 525

29 Reductionism in Biology Alexander Rosenberg 550

Index 568

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"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

Editorial Reviews

"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)

From the Publisher