Paleontology: A Philosophical Introduction (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9780521133326)

In the wake of the paleobiological revolution of the 1970s and 1980s, paleontologists continue to investigate far-reaching questions about how evolution works. Many of those questions have a philosophical dimension. How is macroevolution related to evolutionary changes within populations? Is evolutionary history contingent? How much can we know about the causes of evolutionary trends? How do paleontologists read the patterns in the fossil record to learn about the underlying evolutionary processes? Derek Turner explores these and other questions, introducing the reader to exciting recent work in the philosophy of paleontology and to theoretical issues including punctuated equilibria and species selection. He also critically examines some of the major accomplishments and arguments of paleontologists of the last 40 years.

Author: Derek Turner
ISBN-10: 0521133327
ISBN-13: 9780521133326
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Language: English
Published: 04/28/2011
Pages: 240
Format: Paperback
Weight: 1.05lbs
Size: 9.60h x 6.90w x 0.50d

Review Citation(s):
Choice 12/01/2011