Making sense of heritability : how not to think about behavior genetics / Neven Sesardic.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Sesardić, Neven, 1949- author.

Series:

Cambridge studies in philosophy and biology.

Cambridge studies in philosophy and biology

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Nature and nurture.

Behavior genetics.

Genetic psychology.

Environmental psychology.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (xiii, 267 pages) : digital, PDF file(s).

Place of Publication:

Cambridge : Cambridge University Press, 2005.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

In this book, Neven Sesardic defends the view that it is both possible and useful to measure the separate contributions of heredity and environment to the explanation of human psychological differences. He critically examines the view - very widely accepted by scientists, social scientists and philosophers of science - that heritability estimates have no causal implications and are devoid of any interest. In a series of clearly written chapters he introduces the reader to the problems and subjects the arguments to close philosophical scrutiny. His conclusion is that anti-heritability arguments are based on conceptual confusions and misunderstandings of behavioural genetics. His book is a fresh and compelling intervention in a very contentious debate.

Contents:

The nature-nurture debate : a premature burial?

A tangle of interactions : separating genetic and environmental influences

Lost in correlations? direct and indirect genetic causes

From individuals to groups : genetics and race

Genes and malleability

Science and sensitivity.

Notes:

Title from publisher's bibliographic system (viewed on 05 Oct 2015).

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

1-107-14750-6

1-280-43126-1

0-511-18295-3

0-511-13274-3

0-511-20078-1

0-511-31105-2

0-511-48737-1

0-511-13220-4

OCLC:

171137625