This is a concise, comprehensive, and accessible introduction to the philosophy of biology written by a leading authority on the subject. 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.
Über den Autor Peter Godfrey-Smith
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Peter Godfrey-Smith ist Professor für Geschichte und Philosophie an der Universität Sydney und Professor für Philosophie an der City University of New York. Der leidenschaftliche Tiefseetaucher ist Autor mehrerer Bücher über Evolution und Wissenschaftsphilosophie. Dirk Höfer, 1956 geboren, ist Autor und Übersetzer und lebt in Berlin. Studium der Bildenden Kunst und der Philosophie. Redakteur der Kulturzeitschrift Lettre International, später Drehbuchschreiber und Spieleentwickler für Ludic Philosophy, Berlin.
