Species: A History of the Idea Volume 1 (Hardcover) (ISBN-13: 9780520260856)

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.

Author: John S. Wilkins
ISBN-10: 0520260856
ISBN-13: 9780520260856
Publisher: University of California Press
Language: English
Published: 09/08/2009
Pages: 320
Format: Hardcover
Weight: 1.40lbs
Size: 9.00h x 6.00w x 1.00d

Review Citation(s):
Chronicle of Higher Education 09/25/2009 pg. 20
Choice 04/01/2010