Paleontology: A Philosophical Introduction

ISBN-13: 9780521133326 / Angielski / Miękka / 2011 / 240 str.

Derek Turner

Opis

Explores the far-reaching philosophical questions of paleontology, discussing diverse issues such as punctuated equilibrium and species selection.

Recenzje

"...This is one of the first to deal specifically with paleontology.... The book reads well.... The book appears to be oriented toward graduate-level seminars and professionals.... recommended..."
--L.T. Spencer, emeritus, Plymouth State University, Choice

Spis treści

1. Paleontology and evolutionary theory; 2. A new way of looking at the fossil record; 3. Punctuated equilibria: provocations and problems; 4. The emergence of a hierarchical evolutionary theory; 5. The case for species selection; 6. Real trends; 7. The dynamics of evolutionary trends; 8. Is evolution contingent?; 9. Diversity and disparity; 10. Are genes the new fossils?