Philosophy of Biology / / Peter Godfrey-Smith.

• Superior document: Title is part of eBook package: De Gruyter Princeton University Press Complete eBook-Package 2014-2015
• VerfasserIn: Godfrey-Smith, Peter,
• Place / Publishing House: Princeton, NJ : : Princeton University Press, , [2013]; ©2014
• Year of Publication: 2013
• Edition: Course Book
• Language: English
• Series: Princeton Foundations of Contemporary Philosophy ; 8
• Physical Description: 1 online resource (200 p.) :; 3 line illus.
• Other title: Frontmatter --; Contents --; Preface --; Chapter One. Philosophy and Biology --; Chapter Two. Laws, Mechanisms, and Models --; Chapter Three. Evolution and Natural Selection --; Chapter Four. Adaptation, Construction, Function --; Chapter Five. Individuals --; Chapter Six. Genes --; Chapter Seven. Species and the Tree of Life --; Chapter Eight. Evolution and Social Behavior --; Chapter Nine. Information --; References --; Index
• Format: Mode of access: Internet via World Wide Web.
• ISBN: 9781400850440; 9783110665925
• DOI: 10.1515/9781400850440
• Access: restricted access
• Hierarchical level: Monograph
• Statement of Responsibility: Peter Godfrey-Smith.

This is a concise, comprehensive, and accessible introduction to the philosophy of biology written by a leading authority on the subject. Geared to philosophers, biologists, and students of both, 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, cutting-edge treatments of the evolution of cooperation, of information in biology, and of the role of communication in living systems at all scales.Authoritative and up-to-date, this is an essential guide for anyone interested in the important philosophical issues raised by the biological sciences.