Evolution, explanation, ethics, and aesthetics : towards a philosophy of biology

__Evolution, Mind and Method: Towards a Philosophy of Biology__ focuses on the dominant biological topic of evolution. It deals with the prevailing philosophical themes of how to explain the adaptation of organisms, the interplay of chance and necessity, and the recurrent topics of emergence, reductionism, and progress. In addition, the extensively treated topic of how to explain human nature as a result of natural processes and the encompassed issues of the foundations of morality and the brain-to-mind transformation is discussed. The philosophy of biology is a rapidly expanding field, not more than half a century old at most, and to a large extent is replacing the interest in the philosophy of physics that prevailed in the first two-thirds of the twentieth century. Few texts available have the benefit of being written by an eminent biologist who happens to be also a philosopher, as in this work. This book is a useful resource for seminar courses and college courses on the philosophy of biology. Researchers, academics, and students in evolutionary biology, behavior, genetics, and biodiversity will also be interested in this work, as will those in human biology and issues such as ethics, religion, and the human mind, along with professional philosophers of science and those concerned with such issues as whether evolution is compatible with religion and/or where morality comes from. * Presents the unique perspective of a distinguished biologist with extensive experience in the field who has published much about the subject in a wide variety of journals and edited volumes * Covers the philosophical issues related to evolution and biology in an approachable and readable style * Includes the most up-to-date treatment of this burgeoning, exciting field within biology * Provides the Ideal guide for researchers, academics, and students in evolutionary biology, behavior, genetics, and biodiversity

Evolution, Explanation, Ethics and Aesthetics: Towards a Philosophy of Biology focuses on the dominant biological topic of evolution. It deals with the prevailing philosophical themes of how to explain the adaptation of organisms, the interplay of chance and necessity, and the recurrent topics of emergence, reductionism, and progress. In addition, the extensively treated topic of how to explain human nature as a result of natural processes and the encompassed issues of the foundations of morality and the brain-to-mind transformation is discussed.

The philosophy of biology is a rapidly expanding field, not more than half a century old at most, and to a large extent is replacing the interest in the philosophy of physics that prevailed in the first two-thirds of the twentieth century. Few texts available have the benefit of being written by an eminent biologist who happens to be also a philosopher, as in this work.

This book is a useful resource for seminar courses and college courses on the philosophy of biology. Researchers, academics, and students in evolutionary biology, behavior, genetics, and biodiversity will also be interested in this work, as will those in human biology and issues such as ethics, religion, and the human mind, along with professional philosophers of science and those concerned with such issues as whether evolution is compatible with religion and/or where morality comes from.

• Presents the unique perspective of a distinguished biologist with extensive experience in the field who has published much about the subject in a wide variety of journals and edited volumes
• Covers the philosophical issues related to evolution and biology in an approachable and readable style
• Includes the most up-to-date treatment of this burgeoning, exciting field within biology
• Provides the ideal guide for researchers, academics, and students in evolutionary biology, behavior, genetics, and biodiversity

Evolution, Explanation, Ethics, And Aesthetics: Towards A Philosophy Of Biology Focuses On The Dominant Biological Topic Of Evolution, With The Unique Benefit Of Being Written By An Eminent Biologist Who Also Happens To Be A Philosopher. It Deals With The Prevailing Philosophical Themes Of How To Explain The Adaptation Of Organisms, The Interplay Of Chance And Necessity, And The Recurrent Topics Of Emergence, Reductionism, And Progress. Also Extensively Treated Is The All-important (and Of Great Interest) Topic Of How To Explain Human Nature As A Result Of Natural Processes, And The Encompassed Issues Of The Foundations Of Morality And The Brain-to-mind Transformation. This Book Is A Useful Resource For Seminar And College Courses On The Philosophy Of Biology As Well As For Researchers, Academics, And Students In Evolutionary Biology, Behavior, Genetics, And Biodiversity. Additionally, It Provides A Stimulating Discussion Of The Field For Those With An Interest In Human Biology And Issues Such As Ethics, Religion, And The Mind, Along With Professional Philosophers Of Science And Those Concerned With Such Issues As Whether Evolution Is Compatible With Religion And/or Where Morality Comes From. Part I. Evolution -- The Darwinian Revolution -- Evolution Is A Fact -- Life's Origin -- Luca And The Tree Of Life -- Three Grand Challenges Of Human Biology -- Part Ii. Explanation -- Design Without Designer -- Adaptation And Novelty: Teleological Explanations In Evolutionary Biology -- Evolution And Progress -- The Scientific Method -- Reduction And Emergence -- Microevolution And Macroevolution: A New Evolutionary Synthesis -- Part Iii. Ethics, Aesthetics, And Religion -- Ethics -- Aesthetics -- Religion -- Law And The Courts -- Intelligent Design -- Human Evolution, Genetic Engineering, And Cloning. Francisco J. Alaya. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 373-395) And Index. "Evolution, Explanation, Ethics, and Aesthetics: Towards a Philosophy of Biology focuses on the dominant biological topic of evolution, with the unique benefit of being written by an eminent biologist who also happens to be a philosopher. It deals with the prevailing philosophical themes of how to explain the adaptation of organisms, the interplay of chance and necessity, and the recurrent topics of emergence, reductionism, and progress. Also extensively treated is the all-important (and of great interest) topic of how to explain human nature as a result of natural processes, and the encompassed issues of the foundations of morality and the brain-to-mind transformation. This book is a useful resource for seminar and college courses on the philosophy of biology as well as for researchers, academics, and students in evolutionary biology, behavior, genetics, and biodiversity. Additionally, it provides a stimulating discussion of the field for those with an interest in human biology and issues such as ethics, religion, and the mind, along with professional philosophers of science and those concerned with such issues as whether evolution is compatible with religion and/or where morality comes from."--Page 4 of cover Content: Front Matter,Copyright,PrefaceEntitled to full textPart I: EvolutionChapter 1 - The Darwinian Revolution, Pages 3-21 Chapter 2 - Evolution Is a “Fact”, Pages 23-46 Chapter 3 - Life's Origin, Pages 47-53 Chapter 4 - LUCA and the Tree of Life, Pages 55-77 Chapter 5 - Three Grand Challenges of Human Biology, Pages 79-96 Chapter 6 - Design Without Designer, Pages 99-120 Chapter 7 - Adaptation and Novelty: Teleological Explanations in Evolutionary Biology, Pages 121-142 Chapter 8 - Evolution and Progress, Pages 143-161 Chapter 9 - The Scientific Method, Pages 163-194 Chapter 10 - Reduction and Emergence, Pages 195-210 Chapter 11 - Microevolution and Macroevolution: A New Evolutionary Synthesis?, Pages 211-236 Chapter 12 - Ethics, Pages 239-260 Chapter 13 - Aesthetics, Pages 261-276 Chapter 14 - Religion, Pages 277-298 Chapter 15 - Law and the Courts, Pages 299-312 Chapter 16 - Intelligent Design, Pages 313-337 Chapter 17 - Human Evolution, Genetic Engineering, and Cloning, Pages 339-360 Glossary, Pages 361-371 References, Pages 373-395 Index, Pages 397-408