What Makes Biology Unique? : Considerations on the Autonomy of a Scientific Discipline
Editorial Reviews
Review
'In this first book of the second century of his long career, the biologist Ernst Mayr at age 100 has given us his reflections on the most interesting and important questions about life: why living things can't be understood just as very complex machines, how humans evolved, why we haven't yet communicated with any extraterrestrials, and others. Written with a clarity and vigor that shine from every page, this book is best summarized in one word: exciting!' Jared Diamond, Professor of Geography, UCLA, author of Guns, Germs and Steel (Pulitzer Prize, 1998)
'Ernst Mayr has long had a deep and well-informed interest in the philosophy of biology in relation to broad questions in the philosophy of science. This is an invaluable, thought-provoking, and engaging summary of his ideas, a crowning achievement!' Mary Jane West-Eberhard, Senior Scientist, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, author of Developmental Plasticity and Evolution (Hawkins Award, 2003)
'... an excellent firsthand overview of his philosophy of biology... I admire his clear and elegant writing as well as his insights into biology and philosophy... I am convinced that What Makes Biology Unique? will be loved by those who are curious about biology... I only regret not having this excellent little book in my pocket during my first research in the tropics.' Matthias Glaubrecht, Science
Book Description
This collection of revised and new essays argues that biology is an autonomous science rather than a branch of the physical sciences. Ernst Mayr, widely considered the most eminent evolutionary biologist of the 20th century, offers insights on the history of evolutionary thought, critiques the conditions of philosophy to the science of biology, and comments on several of the major developments in evolutionary theory. Notably, Mayr explains that Darwin's theory of evolution is actually five separate theories, each with its own history, trajectory and impact. Ernst Mayr, commonly referred to as the "Darwin of the 20th century" and listed as one of the top 100 scientists of all-time, is Professor Emeritus at Harvard University. What Makes Biology Unique is the 25th book he has written during his long and prolific career. His recent books include This is Biology: The Science of the Living World (Belknap Press, 1997) and What Evolution Is (Basic Books, 2002).
What Makes Biology Unique? : Considerations on the Autonomy of a Scientific Discipline
What Makes Biology Unique?: Considerations on the Autonomy of a Scientific Discipline,Ernst Mayr,Cambridge University Press,0521841143,Biology,Evolution (Biology),Life Sciences - Biology - General,Philosophy,Science,Science/Mathematics,Biology, Life Sciences,Psychology & Psychiatry / Cognitive Psychology
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