Paleontology: A Philosophical Introduction (Cambridge by Derek Turner

By Derek Turner

within the wake of the paleobiological revolution of the Nineteen Seventies and Nineteen Eighties, paleontologists proceed to enquire far-reaching questions about how evolution works. lots of these questions have a philosophical measurement. How is macroevolution with regards to evolutionary alterations inside populations? Is evolutionary historical past contingent? How a lot do we learn about the explanations of evolutionary developments? How do paleontologists learn the styles within the fossil checklist to profit in regards to the underlying evolutionary methods? Derek Turner explores those and different questions, introducing the reader to intriguing fresh paintings within the philosophy of paleontology and to theoretical concerns together with punctuated equilibria and species choice. He additionally severely examines a few of the significant accomplishments and arguments of paleontologists of the final forty years.

Show description

Read Online or Download Paleontology: A Philosophical Introduction (Cambridge Introductions to Philosophy and Biology) PDF

Similar history & philosophy on science & nature books

Zoological Illustrations

Zoological IllustrationsWilliam John Swainson, English ornithologist, malacologist, conchologist, entomologist and artist (1789-1855)This publication provides «Zoological Illustrations», from William John Swainson. A dynamic desk of contents permits to leap on to the bankruptcy chosen. desk of Contents- approximately This publication- quantity I.

Secrets and Knowledge in Medicine and Science, 1500–1800 (History of Medicine in Context)

Secrets and techniques performed a important function in adjustments in clinical and medical wisdom in early sleek Europe. As a brand new fascination with novelty started to take carry from the overdue 15th century, Europeans thirsted for formerly unknown information about the flora and fauna: new crops, animals, and different items from nature, new recipes for scientific and alchemical strategies, new wisdom concerning the human physique, and new proof in regards to the method nature labored.

Technology and the Virtues: A Philosophical Guide to a Future Worth Wanting

The twenty first century deals a dizzying array of recent technological advancements: robots shrewdpermanent sufficient to take white collar jobs, social media instruments that deal with our most crucial relationships, usual items that music, checklist, examine and percentage each aspect of our day-by-day lives, and biomedical ideas with the capability to remodel and improve human minds and our bodies to an extraordinary measure.

Realismus und Wissenschaft: Der empirische Erfolg der Wissenschaft zwischen metaphysischer Erklärung und methodologischer Beurteilung (Philosophische Untersuchungen) (German Edition)

Fynn Ole Engler stellt aus historischer und systematischer Perspektive die beiden grundlegenden Strömungen der modernen Wissenschaftstheorie gegenüber. Er unterscheidet zwischen einem naturalistischen Programm, das seinen Ausgangspunkt im Wiener Kreis des logischen Empirismus bei Moritz Schlick, Otto Neurath und Rudolf Carnap nimmt und bis zu den Auffassungen Willard Van Orman Quines, Bas van Fraassens und Nancy Cartwrights reicht, sowie einem realistischen Programm, das von den Werken Pierre Duhems und Henri Poincarés ausgeht und zu den Positionen John Worralls und Elie Zahars führt.

Extra info for Paleontology: A Philosophical Introduction (Cambridge Introductions to Philosophy and Biology)

Sample text

Download PDF sample

Rated 4.78 of 5 – based on 18 votes