ENGLISH

Species: A History of the Idea (Species and Systematics)

By John S. Wilkins

Book information

Year
2009
ISBN
0520260856, 9780520260856
LCC
QH83 .W527 2009
Open Library ID
OL23180484M
Language
english
Format
PDF
Filesize
1 MB (1200168 bytes)
Edition
1
Pages
320\320
Topic
History
Orientation
yes
Scanned
no
Time added
2011-06-04 13:46:07

Description

The complex idea of "species" has evolved over time, yet its meaning is far from resolved. This comprehensive work takes a fresh look at an idea central to the field of biology by tracing its history from antiquity to today. John S. Wilkins explores the essentialist view, a staple of logic from Plato and Aristotle through the Middle Ages to fairly recent times, and considers the idea of species in natural history--a concept often connected to reproduction. Tracing "generative conceptions" of species back through Darwin to Epicurus, Wilkins provides a new perspective on the relationship between philosophical and biological approaches to this concept. He also reviews the array of current definitions. Species is a benchmark exploration and clarification of a concept fundamental to the past, present, and future of the natural sciences.

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