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The complex idea of “species” has evolved over time, yet its meaning is far from resolved. This comprehensive work takes a fresh look at an idea central to the field of biology by tracing its history from antiquity to today. John S. Wilkins explores the essentialist view, a staple of logic from Plato and Aristotle through the Middle Ages to fairly recent times, and considers the idea of species in natural history—a concept often connected to reproduction. Tracing “generative conceptions” of species back through Darwin to Epicurus, Wilkins provides a new perspective on the relationship between philosophical and biological approaches to this concept. He also reviews the array of current definitions. Species is a benchmark exploration and clarification of a concept fundamental to the past, present, and future of the natural sciences.
Price: $85.00
Pages: 320
Publisher: University of California Press
Imprint: University of California Press
Series: Species and Systematics
Publication Date:
08 September 2009
Trim Size: 9.00 X 6.00 in
ISBN: 9780520260856
Format: Hardcover
“The most comprehensive, encyclopedic account of the history of the thinking about species. . . . Truly impressive.”
“The most comprehensive work of its kind. It will appeal to students in a diverse set of disciplines. . . . Highly recommended.”
“Provides a comprehensive and interesting synthesis of the species problem today in the context of changing ideologies through history.”
“Provides a thorough background in this important topic. . . . A valuable resource.”
“A useful source for literature, ideas, and history of the topic.”
— James Mallet
“No other book provides this kind of comprehensive, historical account of the thinking about species. As reference work, this book is impressive."
“Provides an encyclopedic history of the idea of species from Plato to the present.”
“[A] congenial book.”
"It is difficult to find anything to dislike about Wilkins’s study. The breadth of the work is staggering, and the amount of research that went into its discussion of every major intellectual figure and conceptual player in the species debates from Plato onward is readily apparent at every turn."
— Charles H. Pence
John S. Wilkins is Research Fellow in Philosophy at the University of Sydney. He is the author of Defining Species: A Sourcebook from Antiquity to Today.
Preface vii
Acknowledgments xiii
Prologue 1
The Classical Era: Science by Division 9
The Medieval Bridge 35
Species and the Birth of Modern Science 47
The Early Nineteenth Century: A Period of Change 97
Darwin and the Darwinians 129
The Species Problem Arises 165
The Synthesis and Species 181
Modern Debates 197
Reproductive Isolation Concepts 197
Evolutionary Species Concepts 201
Phylogenetic Species Concepts 205
Other Species Concepts 216
Historical Summary and Conclusions 227
Notes 235
References 251
Index 289
About the Author
Acknowledgments xiii
Prologue 1
The Classical Era: Science by Division 9
The Medieval Bridge 35
Species and the Birth of Modern Science 47
The Early Nineteenth Century: A Period of Change 97
Darwin and the Darwinians 129
The Species Problem Arises 165
The Synthesis and Species 181
Modern Debates 197
Reproductive Isolation Concepts 197
Evolutionary Species Concepts 201
Phylogenetic Species Concepts 205
Other Species Concepts 216
Historical Summary and Conclusions 227
Notes 235
References 251
Index 289
About the Author