What Makes Biology Unique?: Considerations on the Autonomy of a Scientific DisciplineThis collection of revised and new essays argues that biology is an autonomous science rather than a branch of the physical sciences. Ernst Mayr, widely considered the most eminent evolutionary biologist of the 20th century, offers insights on the history of evolutionary thought, critiques the conditions of philosophy to the science of biology, and comments on several of the major developments in evolutionary theory. Notably, Mayr explains that Darwin's theory of evolution is actually five separate theories, each with its own history, trajectory and impact. Ernst Mayr, commonly referred to as the "Darwin of the 20th century" and listed as one of the top 100 scientists of all-time, is Professor Emeritus at Harvard University. What Makes Biology Unique is the 25th book he has written during his long and prolific career. His recent books include This is Biology: The Science of the Living World (Belknap Press, 1997) and What Evolution Is (Basic Books, 2002). |
Contents
Introduction | 1 |
Science and sciences II | 4 |
The autonomy of biology | 21 |
Teleology | 39 |
Analysis or reductionism? | 67 |
Darwins influence on modern thought | 83 |
Darwins five theories of evolution | 97 |
Maturation of Darwinism | 117 |
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What Makes Biology Unique?: Considerations on the Autonomy of a Scientific ... Ernst Mayr Limited preview - 2004 |
Common terms and phrases
accepted adaptation adaptedness adopted allospecies analysis australopithecines basic behavior biodiversity biological species biologists branches of biology Cambridge chapter chimpanzees claim common descent controversy cosmic teleology Darwin Darwin's theory definition delimitation elimination evolution evolutionary biology evolutionary change evolutionary synthesis evolutionists existence explanation extraterrestrials five theories fossil function gene genetic program geneticists genotype geographic gradual group selection Harvard University Press hominid Homo human important inanimate individuals isolated Kuhn's lineage living world Mayr mechanics molecular biology natural laws natural selection naturalists object of selection organisms Origin of Species orthogenesis particularly phenomena phenotype philosophy of biology Philosophy of Science phyletic phylogenetic physical sciences physicalist population thinking principle properties question reduction reductionism reductionists refuted reproductive success role Ruse saltationism scientific revolution Setians speciation species concept species problem species taxa sympatric T. H. Huxley target of selection taxon teleology Teleonomic processes term tion typological typological thinking variation York