Companion to the Philosophy of Biology

Sahotra Sarkar is Professor of Integrative Biology, Geography and the Environment, and Philosophy at the University of Texas at Austin. He is the author of Genetics and Reductionism: A Primer (1998), Biodiversity and Environmental Philosophy (2005), Molecular Models of Life (2005), Doubting Darwin? Creationist Designs on Evolution (2007); co-author of Systematic Conservation Planning (2007); editor of several books, including The Philosophy and History of Molecular Biology (1996), the six-volume Science and Philosophy in the Twentieth Century: Basic Works of Logical Empiricism (1996), and the two-volume The Philosophy of Science: An Encyclopedia (2006).Anya Plutynski is Associate Professor of Philosophy at the University of Utah. She specializes in the history and philosophy of science.

"This book is a companion to the philosophy of biology, and it not only should be of interest to scholars in philosophy of biology, but it also may be utilized by classroom educators teaching courses in philosophy of biology, theoretical biology, and evolutionary theory." (Science & Education, April 2010)"Many of the discussions here start with a definition of terms and a historical context of the subject before delving into the deeper philosophical issues, making it a useful reference for students of biology as well as philosophy." (Northeastern Naturalist, April 2008)"The topics that are addressed are done so well. This book will appeal to the advanced student and knowledgeable amateur and may prove useful catalyst for discussion among research teams or those engaged in cross-disciplinary studies." (Reference Reviews, February 2009)"Sarkar and Plutynski have compiled a series of essays about the philosophical implications of traditional and emergent biological studies. Among the areas discussed are genetics, immunology and evolutionary psychology." (Columbia College Today Alumni Magazine, February 2009)"A Companion to the Philosophy of Biology will be a very useful guide not only for philosophers but also for historians, sociologists and biologists. Its greatest asset is that it expands beyond the scope of recently published textbooks in philosophy of biology by including a detailed treatment of philosophical aspects of medicine, ecology, mind and behavior and that it places the themes in their historic context. The diversity of areas covered will appeal to students of general interest as well as specialists. Especially helpful is that most chapters end with an extended 'Reference' and often an additional 'Further reading' section that will allow readers to research the individual topics in greater depth." (Metapsychology Reviews Online)"The book is similar to, though different enough to distinguish itself from, its closest kin, The Oxford Handbook of the Philosophy of Biology, edited by Michael Ruse (2008), and The Cambridge Companion to the Philosophy of Biology, edited by David Hull and Michael Ruse. They do not offer essays on language, biodiversity, or models, which are included in the present volume. Recommended." (Choice, November 2008)

• List of Figures viiiList of Tables xNotes on Contributors xiAcknowledgments xviiIntroduction xviiiSahotra Sarkar and Anya PlutynskiPart I Molecular Biology and Genetics 11 Gene Concepts 3Hans-Jörg Rheinberger and Staffan Müller-Wille2 Biological Information 22Stefan Artmann3 Heredity and Heritability 40Richard C. Lewontin4 Genomics, Proteomics, and Beyond 58Sahotra SarkarPart II Evolution 755 Darwinism and Neo-Darwinism 77James G. Lennox6 Systematics and Taxonomy 99Marc Ereshefsky7 Population Genetics 119Christopher Stephens8 The Units and Levels of Selection 138Samir Okasha9 Molecular Evolution 157Michael R. Dietrich10 Speciation and Macroevolution 169Anya Plutynski11 Adaptationism 186Peter Godfrey-Smith and Jon F. WilkinsPart III Developmental Biology 20312 Phenotypic Plasticity and Reaction Norms 205Jonathan M. Kaplan13 Explaining the Ontogeny of Form: Philosophical Issues 223Alan C. Love14 Development and Evolution 248Ron AmundsonPart IV Medicine 26915 Self and Nonself 271Moira Howes16 Health and Disease 287Dominic MurphyPart V Ecology 29917 Population Ecology 301Mark Colyvan18 Complexity, Diversity, and Stability 321James Justus19 Ecosystems 351Kent A. Peacock20 Biodiversity: Its Meaning and Value 368Bryan G. NortonPart VI Mind and Behavior 39121 Ethology, Sociobiology, and Evolutionary Psychology 393Paul E. Griffiths22 Cooperation 415J. McKenzie Alexander23 Language and Evolution 431Derek BickertonPart VII Experimentation, Theory, and Themes 45324 What is Life? 455Mark A. Bedau25 Experimentation 472Marcel Weber26 Laws and Theories 489Marc Lange27 Models 506Jay Odenbaugh28 Function and Teleology 525Justin Garson29 Reductionism in Biology 550Alexander RosenbergIndex 568