How Biology Shapes Philosophy: New Foundations for Naturalism

by David Livingstone Smith (Editor)

Overview

How Biology Shapes Philosophy is a seminal contribution to the emerging field of biophilosophy. It brings together work by philosophers who draw on biology to address traditional and not so traditional philosophical questions and concerns. Thirteen essays by leading figures in the field explore the biological dimensions of ethics, metaphysics, epistemology, gender, semantics, rationality, representation, and consciousness, as well as the misappropriation of biology by philosophers, allowing the reader to critically interrogate the relevance of biology for philosophy. Both rigorous and accessible, the essays illuminate philosophy and help us to acquire a deeper understanding of the human condition. This volume will be of interest to philosophers, biologists, social scientists, and other readers with an interest in bringing science and the humanities together.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781107055834
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	12/01/2016
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	364
Product dimensions:	6.18(w) x 9.21(h) x 0.91(d)

About the Author

David Livingstone Smith is Professor of Philosophy at the University of New England, Maine. His most recent book is Less than Human: Why We Demean, Enslave and Exterminate Others (2011).

Table of Contents

1. Biophilosophy David Livingstone Smith; 2. Darwin and the overdue demise of essentialism Daniel C. Dennett; 3. Darwinism as philosophy: can the universal acid be contained? Alexander Rosenberg; 4. Animal evolution and the origins of experience Peter Godfrey-Smith; 5. Neurophilosophy Patricia Churchland; 6. Teleosemantics David Papineau; 7. The methodological argument for informational teleosemantics Karen Neander; 8. Nature's purposes and mine Ronald De Sousa; 9. Biology and the theory of rationality Samir Okasha; 10. Evolution and ethical life Philip Kitcher; 11. Human nature Edouard Machery; 12. A postgenomic perspective on sex and gender John Dupré; 13. Biophilosophy of race Luc Faucher; 14. How philosophers 'learn' from biology: reductionist and anti-reductionist 'lessons' Richard N. Boyd.

Editorial Reviews

'The essays cover a wide and felicitous range of topics … The contributors are a virtual Who’s Who of contemporary philosophers working in the field: Daniel C. Dennett, Philip Kitcher, Patricia Churchland, Samir Okasha, Peter Godfrey-Smith, Karen Neander, and others … Highly recommended.' Choice

'I was excited to receive and read this book with its stellar cast of contributors. The book is worth the read - many chapters are indeed interesting and informative as standalone pieces and some will prove to be helpful introductions … [It] should serve the profession well as a stimulating and often enthusiastic foray into the overlap between biology and philosophy.' Anton Killin, The Philosophical Quarterly

'… it’s a volume that … will surely provide something of interest for nearly every philosophical reader.' Shane N. Glackin, History and Philosophy of the Life Sciences

From the Publisher