Species: A History of the Idea Volume 1 (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9780520271395)

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: 0520271394
ISBN-13: 9780520271395
Publisher: University of California Press
Language: English
Published: 11/01/2011
Pages: 320
Format: Paperback
Weight: 0.97lbs
Size: 8.70h x 5.60w x 0.80d