Philosophy Of Biology

This is an introduction to the philosophy of biology. The book provides sophisticated and innovative coverage of the central topics and many of the latest developments in the field. Emphasizing connections between biological theories and other areas of philosophy, and carefully explaining both philosophical and biological terms, Peter Godfrey-Smith discusses the relation between philosophy and science; examines the role of laws, mechanistic explanation, and idealized models in biological theories; describes evolution by natural selection; and assesses attempts to extend Darwin's mechanism to explain changes in ideas, culture, and other phenomena. Further topics include functions and teleology, individuality and organisms, species, the tree of life, and human nature. The book closes with detailed treatments of the evolution of cooperation, of information in biology, and of the role of communication in living systems at all scales.

Year

2014

Language

English

Publisher

Princeton University Press

Editions

1

Pages

187

ISBN

9780691140018

Data source: Wikidata