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Philosophy of Biology

An introduction to biological philosophy, covering key topics and recent developments.

Peter Godfrey-Smith author

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Princeton University Press

Published:9th Sep '16

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Philosophy of Biology cover

This introduction to the philosophy of biology offers insightful coverage of key topics and recent developments, connecting biological theories with broader philosophical concepts, making it essential for philosophers, biologists, and students alike.

Philosophy of Biology serves as a thorough and accessible introduction to the intricate relationship between biology and philosophy, authored by a prominent expert in the field. This book is tailored for philosophers, biologists, and students, offering a blend of sophisticated insights and innovative discussions on key topics and recent advancements in biological philosophy. The author, Peter Godfrey-Smith, emphasizes the interconnectedness of biological theories with other philosophical domains, making complex ideas more approachable for readers.

Throughout the text, Godfrey-Smith delves into various fundamental issues, such as the nature of laws in biology, mechanistic explanations, and the use of idealized models. He provides a detailed examination of evolution by natural selection, while also exploring the broader implications of Darwin's theories on culture and ideas. The book addresses significant concepts like functions and teleology, individuality within organisms, and the classification of species, as well as the overarching structure of the tree of life.

In its concluding sections, Philosophy of Biology presents cutting-edge discussions on topics like the evolution of cooperation, the role of information in biological systems, and the importance of communication across different scales of life. This authoritative work not only enriches the reader's understanding of the philosophical questions raised by biological sciences but also serves as an essential resource for anyone keen to explore the profound implications of biology on our understanding of life and existence.

One of Choice's Outstanding Academic Titles for 2014 "Tracing the history of the great debates and ideas that punctuated this specialty, Peter Godfrey-Smith offers a clear and accessible introduction, which extends to the review of its current key issues. This book will interest course philosophers and biologists, but also sociologists and psychologists, as the issues come from classic biology and philosophy."--Romaric Jannel, Liens Socio "Peter Godfrey-Smith's Philosophy of Biology ... [is] a great way to get up to speed on all the issues that working biologists love to debate amongst themselves... [N]on-specialists should not be put off. Godfrey-Smith's style is engaging, almost conversational."--John Farrell, Forbes.com "Here, Godfrey-Smith, a prominent and prolific scholar working in the field, delivers an elegant and stimulating analysis of key areas in the life sciences where conceptual questions arise regularly... Godfrey-Smith provides an exemplar of expositional clarity and philosophical insight for those who would imitate his approach in these domains."--Choice "[O]ne of the very best textbooks in its field."--Brian Garvey, Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews "[A]lthough it is too brief to be the only text for any course, it would be a perfect addition to or foundation for the reading list for many. And no practicing biologist who reads it is likely to think her time was wasted."--W. Ford Doolittle, Current Biology "Philosophy of Biology can be recommended mainly as an excellent resource for teachers. They will find an up to date overview of important topics and can rely on the further reading sections to supplement this volume with additional material."--Christina Behme, Metapsychology "Philosophy of Biology is a valuable addition to the introductions already out there, and one that stands out in many ways."--Joeri Witteveen, History and Philosophy of Life Sciences

  • Short-listed for Choice Magazine Outstanding Reference/Academic Book Award 2014

ISBN: 9780691174679

Dimensions: unknown

Weight: 255g

200 pages