TY - BOOK ID - 78073494 TI - Philosophy of biology PY - 2007 SN - 1317493672 1315712016 1282943316 9786612943317 1844653811 9781844653812 9781317493679 9781282943315 9781844650705 1844650707 1844650715 9781844650712 9781315712017 6612943319 9781317493655 9781317493662 1317493664 PB - Durham : Acumen Publishing, DB - UniCat KW - Biology KW - Vitalism KW - Philosophy. KW - Philosophy KW - Biology - Philosophy KW - Biologie KW - Philosophie des sciences KW - Evolution KW - Génétique KW - Philosophie UR - https://www.unicat.be/uniCat?func=search&query=sysid:78073494 AB - Biology raises distinct questions of its own not only for philosophy of science, but for metaphysics, epistemology and ethics. This comprehensive new introduction to a growing field of study provides readers new to the subject with an up-to-date presentation of the key philosophical issues. Care is taken throughout to keep the technicalities accessible to the non-biologist but without sacrificing the philosophical subtleties. The first part of the book explores the philosophical challenges posed by evolution and evolutionary biology, beginning with Darwins central argument in The Origin of Species. Individual chapters cover natural selection, creationism, the selfish gene, alternative units of selection, developmental systems theory, adaptionism and issues in macroevolution. The second part of the book examines philosophical questions that arise in connection with biological traits, function, nature and nurture, and biological kinds. The third part of the book examines metaphysical questions, biologys relation with the traditional concerns of philosophy of science, and how evolution has been introduced into epistemological debates. The final part considers the relevance of biology to questions about ethics, religion and human nature. Philosophy of Biology is a fresh and engaging general survey of the subject suitable for course use and for the non-specialist looking for an introduction to an increasingly popular subject area in the philosophy of science. ER -