The Species Problem : A Philosophical Analysis Hardback
by Richard A. (University of Alabama) Richards
Part of the Cambridge Studies in Philosophy and Biology series
Hardback
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Description
There is long-standing disagreement among systematists about how to divide biodiversity into species.
Over twenty different species concepts are used to group organisms, according to criteria as diverse as morphological or molecular similarity, interbreeding and genealogical relationships.
This, combined with the implications of evolutionary biology, raises the worry that either there is no single kind of species, or that species are not real.
This book surveys the history of thinking about species from Aristotle to modern systematics in order to understand the origin of the problem, and advocates a solution based on the idea of the division of conceptual labor, whereby species concepts function in different ways - theoretically and operationally.
It also considers related topics such as individuality and the metaphysics of evolution, and how scientific terms get their meaning.
This important addition to the current debate will be essential for philosophers and historians of science, and for biologists.
Information
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Out of StockMore expected soonContact us for further information
- Format:Hardback
- Pages:248 pages
- Publisher:Cambridge University Press
- Publication Date:01/07/2010
- Category:
- ISBN:9780521196833
Information
-
Out of StockMore expected soonContact us for further information
- Format:Hardback
- Pages:248 pages
- Publisher:Cambridge University Press
- Publication Date:01/07/2010
- Category:
- ISBN:9780521196833