Defenders of the truth : the battle for science in the sociobiology debate and beyond / Ullica Segerstråle.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Segerstråle, Ullica Christina Olofsdotter.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Sociobiology.

Nature and nurture.

Physical Description:

ix, 493 pages ; 25 cm

Place of Publication:

Oxford ; New York : Oxford University Press, 2000.

Summary:

An insightful look at the sociobiology debate and what it tells readers about the nature of science and its roll in society. "Defenders of the Truth" will appeal to all those who enjoy a behind-the-scenes peek at modern science.

Contents:

Preface. 1. The sociobiology debate as a battle for truth

Pt. 1. What happened in the sociobiology debate? 2. The storm over Sociobiology ; 3. Colleagues on collision course: Wilson's and Lewontin's contrary moral-cum-scientific agendas ; 4. The British connection ; 5. The 'deep background' of sociobiology ; 6. Assault on adaptationism, a delayed scientific critique ; 7. The unit of selection and the connection with culture ; 8. Sociobiology adapts to criticism: Genes, mind and culture ; 9. The moral/political conflict continues

Pt. 2. Making sense of the sociobiology debate. 10. Inside the mind of the critics ; 11. Planters and weeders in the garden of science ; 12. To be or not to be, in the sociobiology controversy ; 13. A clash of traditions ; 14. Conflicting views of the nature of science ; 15. Capitalizing on controversy

Pt. 3. The cultural meaning of the battle for science. 16. The sociobiologists and their enemies: taking stock after 25 years ; 17. Truth by dispute? The sociobiology debate and the Science Wars ; 18. Interpreting the Enlightenment quest ; 19. The tension between scientific and moral truth ; 20. The battle for the soul, and for the soul of science

Notes

References

Glossary

Index.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages [429]-468) and index.

ISBN:

0198505051

OCLC:

43341834