Research Catalog

Title

Thinking about life : the history and philosophy of biology and other sciences / Paul S. Agutter, Denys N. Wheatley.

Author

Agutter, Paul S., 1946-

Publication

[Dordrecht] : Springer, c2008.

Items in the Library & Off-site

Details

Additional Authors

Wheatley, D. N. (Denys N.)

Description

xiv, 267 p. : ill., maps; 25 cm.

Summary

"This is a "popular science" book, designed as a sequel to our About Life, though readers need not be familiar with the earlier volume. Indeed, no specialist knowledge is required. The text briefly surveys the nature of science and its emergence in post-Renaissance Europe, and investigates the similarities and differences between biology and other sciences. Major topics in the philosophy of biology (e.g. evolutionary theory, vitalism/mechanism, reductionism/holism, spontaneous generation) are considered in a little more detail."--Jacket.

Subjects

• History
• Philosophy, Medical
• Biological Evolution
• Life
• Biology > Philosophy
• Biology > History
• Life (Biology) > Philosophy

Genre/Form

History

Bibliography (note)

• Includes bibliographical references (p. 235-243) and indexes.

Processing Action (note)

• committed to retain

Contents

What is science? -- Culture, technology and knowledge -- Classical roots -- Mediaeval views of the world -- The scientific revolution -- The 'scientific revolution' in biology -- Aristotle's biology -- How different are organisms from inanimate objects? -- Cell theory and experimental physiology : new ideas in a changing society -- Embryos and entelechy -- Spontaneous generation -- The evolution of Darwinism -- The great heredity debate -- Evolutionary theory attains maturity -- The problem of purpose -- The scientific status of biology.

ISBN

• 9781402088650 (hbk.)
• 1402088655 (hbk.)

OCLC

233934599

Owning Institutions

Harvard Library