How Science Works: Evolution: The Nature of Science & the Science of Nature

ISBN-13: 9789401777476 / Angielski / Miękka / 2016 / 160 str.

R. John Ellis

Opis

Evolution is just a theory, isn t it? What is a scientific theory anyway? Don t scientists prove things? What is the difference between a fact, a hypothesis and a theory in science? How does scientific thinking differ from religious thinking? Why are most leading scientists atheists? Are science and religion compatible? Why are there so many different religious beliefs but only one science? What is the evidence for evolution? Why does evolution occur? If you are interested in any of these questions and have some knowledge of biology, this book is for you.

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Spis treści

1   Introduction

    The Importance of Science

     Origins of this Book

     Aims of this Book

     The Theory of Evolution

     Features of the Second Edition 

 

Part I  The Nature of Science

     

2   Two Ways of Explaining the Universe

     Supernaturalism and Naturalism

     The Incompatibility of Religion and Science

     Further Reading List

 

3   How Science Works

     General Principles

     Nullius in verba

     Occam`s razor

     Religious Belief among Leading Scientists

     Naturalistic Origins of Religious Beliefs

     Patternicity and Agenticity

     Uncertainty

     Science and Religion Compared

     Naturalistic Origins of Moral Values

     Further Reading List

 

Part II   The Science of Nature

 

4    Darwin`s Theory of Evolution

      Biodiversity

      Adaptation

      Possible Explanations for Biodiversity and Adaptation

      The Early Life of Charles Darwin

      Evolution by Natural Selection

      Direct Observations of Natural Selection

      Historical Context of the Idea of Natural Selection

      Common Misconceptions about Natural Selection

      Genetic Drift

      Further Reading List

 

5    The Evidence for Evolution

       Seven Main Lines of Evidence

       Similarities at the Molecular Level

       Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes

       Similarities at the Anatomical Level

       Direct Observation

       Transitional Fossils

       Logical Inference

       Hierarchical Classification

       Vestigial Structures                 

 

  6   Some Major Events in Evolution

        Time-Line of Evolution

        Mass Extinction Events

        Determining the Age of Rocks

        The Earliest Forms of Life

        The Rise in Atmospheric Oxygen

        The Origin of Eukaryotic Cells

 

    7   The Evolution of Eyes

         Darwin`s Difficulties

         Light-Detecting Structures

          Eyes in Unicellular Eukaryotes

          Plausible Evolutionary Possibilities

 

      8   Human Evolution

            Time-Line of Human Evolution

          Sahelanthropus

          Orrorin

          Ardipithecus

         Australopithecus

           Paranthropus

            The genus Homo

          Further Reading List

 

          Pale Blue Dot

          Definitions

          Suggestions for Discussion Topics

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Blurb

Evolution is just a theory, isn’t it? What is a scientific theory anyway? Don’t scientists prove things? What is the difference between a fact, a hypothesis and a theory in science? How does scientific thinking differ from religious thinking? Why are most leading scientists atheists? Are science and religion compatible? Why are there so many different religious beliefs but only one science? What is the evidence for evolution? Why does evolution occur? If you are interested in any of these questions and have some knowledge of biology, this book is for you.

“There are many books that explain evolution and how science works, but few can claim the erudition and clarity of this one. Professor Ellis shows elegantly how the philosophical advances of the Enlightenment paved the way for the modern construction of science, and how evolutionary theory follows its best practices. It is a pity that most undergraduates never get a real course in scientific thinking, but you can rectify that by giving them a copy of this book”.

Kevian Padian, Professor and Curator, University of California, Berkeley.

“In this highly readable book John Ellis masterfully describes Darwin`s theory of evolution and the evidence for it. He shows how even the most intricate of biological systems could have arisen by random mutation and survival of the fittest. But for me the most precious aspect of the book is its uncompromising distinction between the natural (scientific) explanation of the universe and all the mutually contradictory supernatural (religious) explanations. Especially in these days when religion is constantly in the news, this book should be a must-read for students, commentators and the thinking public”.

Professor Sir David Hopwood F.R.S., John Innes Centre, Norwich.

“John Ellis has extensively revised his excellent book `How Science Works`, which uses evolution as an example of the scientific method. As well as describing the basic principles of evolution by natural selection, he makes use of the latest findings in palaeontology, molecular biology and organismal biology to show how the theory stands up to empirical tests. The book is written in a clear and simple style, which makes it accessible to the general reader, as well as being suitable for an introductory undergraduate course on evolution. Only the most hardened creationist would fail to be convinced by it”.

Professor Brian Charlesworth F.R.S., Institute of Evolutionary Biology, University of Edinburgh.