Handbook of Evolutionary Thinking in the Sciences / edited by Thomas Heams, Philippe Huneman, Guillaume Lecointre, Marc Silberstein.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Heams, Thomas, editor.

Huneman, Philippe, editor.

Lecointre, Guillaume, editor.

Silberstein, Marc, editor.

SpringerLink (Online service)

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Life sciences.

Biology--Philosophy.

Biology.

Evolution (Biology).

Science--Study and teaching.

Science.

Physical Description:

1 online resource

Contained In:

Springer eBooks

Place of Publication:

Dordrecht : Springer Netherlands : Imprint: Springer, 2015.

System Details:

Mode of Access: World Wide Web.

text file PDF

Summary:

The Darwinian theory of evolution is itself evolving and this book presents the details of the core of modern Darwinism and its latest developmental directions. The authors present current scientific work addressing theoretical problems and challenges in four sections, beginning with the concepts of evolution theory, its processes of variation, heredity, selection, adaptation and function, and its patterns of character, species, descent and life. The second part of this book scrutinizes Darwinism in the philosophy of science and its usefulness in understanding ecosystems, whilst the third section deals with its application in disciplines beyond the biological sciences, including evolutionary psychology and evolutionary economics, Darwinian morality and phylolinguistics. The final section addresses anti-Darwinism, the creationist view and issues around teaching evolution in secondary schools. The reader learns how current experimental biology is opening important perspectives on the sources of variation, and thus of the very power of natural selection. This work examines numerous examples of the extension of the principle of natural selection and provides the opportunity to critically reflect on a rich theory, on the methodological rigour that presides in its extensions and exportations, and on the necessity to measure its advantages and also its limits. Scholars interested in modern Darwinism and scientific research, its concepts, research programs and controversies will find this book an excellent read, and those considering how Darwinism might evolve, how it can apply to the human sciences and other disciplines beyond its origins will find it particularly valuable. Originally produced in French (Les Mondes Darwiniens), the scope and usefulness of the book have led to the production of this English text, to reach a wider audience. This book is a milestone in the impressive penetration by Francophone scholars into the world of Darwinian science, its historiography and philosophy over the last two decades...This English translation does indeed serve as a Handbook of Darwinian Thinking that will advance understanding of Darwinian theory in every language. Alex Rosenberg, R. Taylor Cole Professor of Philosophy, Duke University Until now this useful and comprehensive handbook has only been available to francophones. Thanks to this invaluable new translation, this collection of insightful and original essays can reach the global audience it deserves. Tim Lewens, University of Cambridge.

Contents:

Foreword; Jean Gayon

Introduction; Thomas Heams, Philippe Huneman, Guillaume Lecointre, Marc Silberstein

Part 1. Concepts: Processes

Variation; Thomas Heams

Heredity; Thomas Heams

Selection; Philippe Huneman

Adaptation; Philippe Grandcolas

Function; Armand de Ricqlés

Part 2. Concepts: Patterns

Character; Véronique Barriel

Species; Sarah Samadi and Anouk Barberousse

Descent (filiation); Guillauem Lecointre

Life; Stéphane Tirard

Part 3. Darwinism “At Work” : Philosophy of Science

Formalising Evolutionary Theory ; Anouk Barberousse

Continuities and Discontinuities of Variation Mechanisms in On the Origin of Species; Pascal Charbonnat

Evolutionary Developmental Biology: Philosophical Issues; Alan C. Love

Phenotypic plasticity: From microevolution to macroevolution; Antonine Nicoglou

Darwin and molecular biology; Michel Morange

Systems biology and evolutionary biology; Pierre-Alain Braillard

The (in)determinism of biological evolution; where does the stochastic character of evolutionary theory come from? Christophe Malaterre and Francesca Merlin

Darwin and phylogenetics: past and present; Pascal Tassy

Telling the story of life; on the use of narrative; Guillaume Lecointre

Part 4. Darwinism “At Work” : From molecules to eco-systems

What exactly is Synthetic Biology? Thomas Heams

Evolutionary developmental biology and its contribution to a new synthetic theory; Guillaume Balavoine

Behavior and Evolution: crossed glances; Henri Cap

Sex and evolution: Pierre Henry Gouyon, Damien de Vienne, and Tatiana Girard

Biological costs of a small stature for Homo sapiens females: new perspectives on stature sexual dimorphism; Priscille Touraille

Ecology and evolution: Toward a multi-hierarchical connection; Julien DeLord

The ecological niche: history and recent controversies; Arnaud Pocheville

Darwin, Evolution, and Medicine: Historical and Contemporary Perspectives; Pierre-Oliver Méthot

Part 5. Evolution in Other Sciences

Evolutionary algorithms; Marc Schoenauer

Artificial evolution of autonomous robots and virtual creatures; Nicolas Bredeche

Evolutionary Psychology, Adaptation and Design: Stephen M. Downes

Externalist Evolutionary Cognitive Science; Pierre Poirier and Luc Faucher

Human Language: An Evolutionary Anomaly; Jean-Louis Dessalles

Evolution, Society, and Ethics: Social Darwinism versus Evolutionary Ethics; Christine Clavien

Darwinian Morality: Moral Darwinism; Jérȏme Ravat

Origins and evolution of religion from a Darwinian point of view: synthesis of different theories; Pierrick Bourrat

Current Darwinism in Social Science; Christophe Heintz and Nicolas Claidiére

Evolutionary economics: a specific form of evolution? Eva Debray

Phylo-Linguistics: Enacting Darwin's Linguistic Image; Mahé Ben Hamed

Biological functions and semantic content: the teleosemantics; Franҫoise Longy

Part 6. About Anti-Darwinism

Evolutionism(s) and creationism(s); Olivier Brosseau and Marc Silberstein

The theory of evolution in secondary schools: some teaching issues; Corine Fortin.

Other Format:

Printed edition:

ISBN:

9789401790147

Access Restriction:

Restricted for use by site license.