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Philosophy of Biology

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( 162 ratings, 16 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Philosophy of Biology by Peter Godfrey-Smith offers a concise and accessible introduction to the philosophical questions raised by the biological sciences. It covers central themes such as the interplay between philosophy and science, laws and explanation in biology, evolution by natural selection, functions and teleology, individuality, species, and the tree of life. The book also discusses cutting-edge topics like cooperation, biological information, and communication within living systems.
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

Ideal for students and scholars of philosophy, biology, and interdisciplinary fields such as sociology and psychology. The book suits readers seeking a sophisticated yet clear exploration of foundational and current issues in the philosophy of biology.

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This is a concise, comprehensive, and accessible introduction to the philosophy of biology written by a leading authority on the subject. Geared to philosophers, biologists, and students of both, the book provides sophisticated and innovative coverage of the central topics and many of the latest developments in the field. Emphasizing connections be

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

This is a concise, comprehensive, and accessible introduction to the philosophy of biology, written by a leading authority on the subject. Geared to philosophers, biologists, and students of both, the book provides sophisticated and innovative coverage of the central topics and many of the latest developments in the field.

Emphasizing connections between biological theories and other areas of philosophy, and carefully explaining both philosophical and biological terms, Peter Godfrey-Smith discusses the relation between philosophy and science; examines the role of laws, mechanistic explanation, and idealized models in biological theories; describes evolution by natural selection; and assesses attempts to extend Darwin's mechanism to explain changes in ideas, culture, and other phenomena.

Further topics include functions and teleology, individuality and organisms, species, the tree of life, and human nature. The book closes with detailed, cutting-edge treatments of the evolution of cooperation, of information in biology, and of the role of communication in living systems at all scales.

Authoritative and up-to-date, Philosophy of Biology is an essential guide for anyone interested in the important philosophical issues raised by the biological sciences.

Series: Princeton Foundations of Contemporary Philosophy

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  • Philosophy of Biology
    This is a concise, comprehensive, and accessible introduction to the philosophy of biology, written by a leading authority on the subject. Geared to philosophers, biologists, and students of both, the book provides sophisticated and innovative coverage of the central topics and many of the latest developments in the field. Emphasizing connections between biological theories and other areas of philosophy, and...
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Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Praised as "one of Choice's Outstanding Academic Titles for 2014," the book is recognised for its clarity, accessibility, and comprehensive coverage. Reviewers highlight its engaging style suitable for both specialists and non-specialists alike, with John Farrell of Forbes.com noting Godfrey-Smith's "almost conversational" tone. It is described as an excellent textbook and a stimulating analysis with philosophical depth, recommended for philosophers, biologists, and related disciplines.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780691174679

Publisher: Princeton University Press

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 06 September 2016

Country: United States

Imprint: Princeton University Press

Illustration: 3 line illus.

Audience: Tertiary education, Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Width: 140.0mm

Height: 216.0mm

Weight: 255g

Pages: 200

About the Author

Peter Godfrey-Smith is Distinguished Professor of Philosophy at the CUNY Graduate Center. He is the author of Theory and Reality: An Introduction to the Philosophy of Science and Darwinian Populations and Natural Selection.

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  • Metazoa
    Metazoa by Peter Godfrey-Smith is an enthralling exploration into the mysterious realms of animal consciousness and the evolutionary origins of mind. Building on the groundbreaking insights of his previous work, the acclaimed Other Minds, Godfrey-Smith dives even deeper into the oceanic depths and beyond, venturing into the aquatic lives of sea sponges, soft corals, and even flower-like worms. These seemingly...
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  • Living on Earth
    The captivating finale of Peter Godfrey-Smith’s insightful trilogy, Living on Earth, beautifully builds upon the themes explored in his earlier works, Other Minds and Metazoa. In this enthralling exploration, Godfrey-Smith delves into the intricate relationships between life and the environment on our planet, weaving together an eloquent narrative that examines how life has continuously adapted and influenced Earth's evolving landscapes...
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  • Other Minds
    What if intelligent life on Earth evolved not once, but twice? The octopus is the closest we will come to meeting an intelligent alien. What can we learn from the encounter? In Other Minds, Peter Godfrey-Smith, a distinguished philosopher of science and a skilled scuba diver, tells a bold new story of how nature became aware of itself – a...
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  • Living on Earth
    The eagerly anticipated conclusion to Peter Godfrey-Smith’s three-part exploration of the origins of intelligence on Earth, which began with the bestselling Other Minds in 2018 and continued with Metazoa in 2020. Peter Godfrey-Smith, the scuba-diving philosopher, examined the evolution of sentience in Other Minds. In Metazoa, he asked how that consciousness shaped and was shaped by animal bodies. Now, in...
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  • Theory and Reality
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