The deep structure of biology : is convergence sufficiently ubiquitous to give a directional signal? / edited by Simon Conway Morris.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Conway Morris, S. (Simon)

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Convergence (Biology).

Phylogeny.

Medical Subjects:

Phylogeny.

Physical Description:

x, 243 pages : illustrations ; 23 cm

Place of Publication:

West Conshohocken, Pa. : Templeton Foundation Press, [2008]

Summary:

In The Deep Structure of Biology, twelve renowned scientists, philosophers, and theologians examine the phenomenon of convergence in biology, providing examples found in plants, animals, and microbes, and expand on the topic by discussing metaphysical implications that emerge if it is determined that the processes of evolution are more predictable than customarily thought.

The Deep Structure of Biology contains a chapter by editor Simon Conway Morris as well as: Nicola Clayton, Celia Deane-Drummond, Nathan Emery, Robert Foley, Nigel Franks, John Haught, Richard Lenski, George McGhee, Karl Niklas, Michael Ruse, Anthony Trewavas, Hal Whitehead.

Contents:

1 Chance and Necessity in Evolution / Richard E. Lenski 3

2 Convergent Evolution: A Periodic Table of Life? / George McGhee 17

3 Life's Evolutionary History: Is It Determinate or Indeterminate? / Karl J. Niklas 32

4 Evolution and Convergence: Some Wider Considerations / Simon Conway Morris 46

5 Aspects of Plant Intelligence: Convergence and Evolution / Anthony Trewavas 68

6 Convergent Evolution, Serendipity, and Intelligence for the Simple Minded / Nigel R. Franks 111

7 Canny Corvids and Political Primates: A Case for Convergent Evolution in Intelligence / Nicola S. Clayton, Nathan J. Emery 128

8 Social and Cultural Evolution in the Ocean: Convergences and Contrasts with Terrestrial Systems / Hal Whitehead 143

9 The Illusion of Purpose in Evolution: A Human Evolutionary Perspective / Robert A. Foley 161

10 Purpose in a Darwinian World / Michael Ruse 178

11 Plumbing the Depths: A Recovery of Natural Law and Natural Wisdom in the Context of Debates about Evolutionary Purpose / Celia Deane-Drummond 195

12 Purpose in Nature: On the Possibility of a Theology of Evolution / John F. Haught 218.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9781599471389

1599471388

OCLC:

179836582