The Epistemology of Development, Evolution, and Genetics
The Epistemology of Development, Evolution, and Genetics
The essays in this collection examine developments in three fundamental biological disciplines--embryology, evolutionary biology, and genetics--in conflict with each other for much of the twentieth century. They consider key methodological problems and the difficulty of overcoming them. Richard Burian interweaves historical appreciation of the settings within which scientists work, substantial knowledge of the biological problems at stake and the methodological and philosophical issues faced in integrating biological knowledge drawn from disparate sources.
- Some classic essays by a well-respected philosopher of science
- Integrates the knowledge gained in the studies of development, genetics and evolution
Reviews & endorsements
"for those willing to invest some time, the rewards of this volume are considerable: Burian presents a nuanced account of a number of important developments in 20th century biology." - Todd Grantham, College of Charleston
Product details
November 2004Paperback
9780521545280
290 pages
229 × 152 × 17 mm
0.43kg
16 b/w illus.
Available
Table of Contents
- 1. General introduction
- Part I. Methodological Issues:
- 2. How the choice of experimental organism matters
- 3. Unification and coherence as methodological objectives in the biological sciences
- Part II. Evolution:
- 4. 'Adaptation'
- 5. The influence of the evolutionary paradigm
- 6. 'Nothing in biology makes sense except in the light of evolution' (Theodosius Dobzhansky)
- Part III. Genetics and Molecular Biology:
- 7. On conceptual change in biology
- 8. Technique, task definition, and the transition from genetics to molecular genetics
- 9. Too many kinds of genes
- Part IV. Development:
- 10. Lillie's paradox - or, some hazards of cellular geography
- 11. On conflicts between genetic and developmental viewpoints
- 12. Reconceiving animals and their evolution.
