Species

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.

ISBN	0520260856	Pages	320
ISBN13	9780520260856 (What's this?)	Volumes	1
Publisher	University of California Press	Weight (grammes)	657
Imprint	University of California Press	Published in	Berkerley
Format	Hardback	Series title	Species and Systematics
Publication date	08 Sep 2009	Height (mm)	235
Library of Congress	2009009184	Width (mm)	159
DEWEY	576.86	Spine width (mm)	25
DEWEY edition	DC22	Academic level	Postgraduate, Professional / Scholarly

		Prologue
		The Classical Era: Science by Division
		The Medieval Bridge
		Species and the Birth of Modern Science
		The Early Nineteenth Century: A Period of Change
		Darwin and the Darwinians
		The Species Problem Arises
		The Synthesis and Species
		Modern Debates
		Reproductive Isolation Concepts
		Evolutionary Species Concepts
		Phylogenetic Species Concepts
		Other Species Concepts
		Historical Summary and Conclusions
		Notes
		References
		Index

"The most comprehensive, encyclopedic account of the history of the thinking about species... Truly impressive."--Science & Education "The most comprehensive work of its kind. It will appeal to students in a diverse set of disciplines... Highly recommended."--Choice "Provides a comprehensive and interesting synthesis of the species problem today in the context of changing ideologies through history."--Journal of Human Evolution Blog "Provides a thorough background in this important topic... A valuable resource."--Nsta Recommends "A useful source for literature, ideas, and history of the topic."--Integrative & Comparative Bio (Sicb)

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A History of the Idea