A Companion to the Philosophy of Biology

A COMPANION TO THE PHILOSOPHY OF BIOLOGY

“Sarkar is to be congratulated for assembling this talented team of philosophers, who are themselves to be congratulated for writing these interesting essays on so many fascinating areas in philosophy of biology. This book will be a wonderful resource for future work.”

Elliot Sober, University of Wisconsin-Madison

“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

“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

A Companion to the Philosophy of Biology offers concise overviews of philosophical issues raised by all areas of biology. Addressing both traditional and emerging areas of philosophical interest, the volume focuses on the philosophical implications of evolutionary theory as well as key topics such as molecular biology, immunology, and ecology

Comprising essays by top scholars in the field, this volume is an authoritative guide for professional philosophers, historians, sociologists and biologists, as well as an accessible reference work for students seeking to learn about this rapidly-changing field.In diesem Band werden philosophische Themen behandelt, die in Zusammenhang mit der Biologie stehen. Dabei werden auch neuere Problemfelder wie Genetik, Ökologie oder die Neurowissenschaften untersucht. Für wissenschaftsphilosophisch Interessierte ist dieser Band ein Muss.

List of Figures viii

List of Tables x

Notes on Contributors xi

Acknowledgments xvii

Introduction xviii
Sahotra Sarkar and Anya Plutynski

Part I Molecular Biology and Genetics 1

1 Gene Concepts 3
Hans-Jörg Rheinberger and Staffan Müller-Wille

2 Biological Information 22
Stefan Artmann

3 Heredity and Heritability 40
Richard C. Lewontin

4 Genomics, Proteomics, and Beyond 58
Sahotra Sarkar

Part II Evolution 75

5 Darwinism and Neo-Darwinism 77
James G. Lennox

6 Systematics and Taxonomy 99
Marc Ereshefsky

7 Population Genetics 119
Christopher Stephens

8 The Units and Levels of Selection 138
Samir Okasha

9 Molecular Evolution 157
Michael R. Dietrich

10 Speciation and Macroevolution 169
Anya Plutynski

11 Adaptationism 186
Peter Godfrey-Smith and Jon F. Wilkins

Part III Developmental Biology 203

12 Phenotypic Plasticity and Reaction Norms 205
Jonathan M. Kaplan

13 Explaining the Ontogeny of Form: Philosophical Issues 223
Alan C. Love

14 Development and Evolution 248
Ron Amundson

Part IV Medicine 269

15 Self and Nonself 271
Moira Howes

16 Health and Disease 287
Dominic Murphy

Part V Ecology 299

17 Population Ecology 301
Mark Colyvan

18 Complexity, Diversity, and Stability 321
James Justus

19 Ecosystems 351
Kent A. Peacock

20 Biodiversity: Its Meaning and Value 368
Bryan G. Norton

Part VI Mind and Behavior 391

21 Ethology, Sociobiology, and Evolutionary Psychology 393
Paul E. Griffiths

22 Cooperation 415
J. McKenzie Alexander

23 Language and Evolution 431
Derek Bickerton

Part VII Experimentation, Theory, and Themes 453

24 What is Life? 455
Mark A. Bedau

25 Experimentation 472
Marcel Weber

26 Laws and Theories 489
Marc Lange

27 Models 506
Jay Odenbaugh

28 Function and Teleology 525
Justin Garson

29 Reductionism in Biology 550
Alexander Rosenberg

Index 568

"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)

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 the 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.

A Companion to the Philosophy of Biology offers concise overviews of philosophical issues raised by all areas of biology. Addressing both traditional and emerging areas of philosophical interest, the volume focuses on the philosophical implications of evolutionary theory as well as key topics such as molecular biology, immunology, and ecology.

Comprising essays by top scholars in the field, this volume is an authoritative guide for professional philosophers, historians, sociologists and biologists, as well as an accessible reference work for students seeking to learn about this rapidly-changing field.

"Sarkar is to be congratulated for assembling this talented team of philosophers, who are themselves to be congratulated for writing these interesting essays on so many fascinating areas in philosophy of biology. This book will be a wonderful resource for future work."
—Elliot Sober, University of Wisconsin-Madison