Cambridge Introductions to Philosophy and BiologySeries

Recommended Reading Order

• Paleontology

  • Derek Turner

  • 240 pages
  • 9 hours of reading

  4.1(18)Add rating

  In the wake of the paleobiological revolution of the 1970s and 1980s, paleontologists continue to investigate far-reaching questions about how evolution works. Many of those questions have a philosophical dimension. How is macroevolution related to evolutionary changes within populations? Is evolutionary history contingent? How much can we know about the causes of evolutionary trends? How do paleontologists read the patterns in the fossil record to learn about the underlying evolutionary processes? Derek Turner explores these and other questions, introducing the reader to exciting recent work in the philosophy of paleontology and to theoretical issues including punctuated equilibria and species selection. He also critically examines some of the major accomplishments and arguments of paleontologists of the last 40 years.

  Read more

  

  Track

• Biological Classification

  • Richard Richards

  • 314 pages
  • 11 hours of reading

  Exploring the philosophical underpinnings of biological classification, this book delves into the historical evolution of taxonomy. It examines key concepts and frameworks that have shaped modern understanding, providing insights into how organisms are categorized. Through a blend of philosophy and biology, it highlights the significance of classification systems in scientific discourse and the implications for understanding biodiversity.

  Read more

  

  Track

• Genetics and Philosophy

  • Paul Griffiths

  • 270 pages
  • 10 hours of reading

  4.0(1)Add rating

  This book integrates the work of philosophers of science seeking to make sense of genetics with an accessible introduction to the science.

  Read more

  

  Track

• Agro-Technology

  A Philosophical Introduction

  • R. Paul Thompson

  • 258 pages
  • 10 hours of reading

  The book provides an in-depth examination of agro-biotechnology, addressing various objections and exploring both the claimed benefits and potential harms. It delves into legal and ethical concerns surrounding the field and contrasts these issues with organic agriculture practices. Designed for students, it offers a comprehensive understanding of the complexities and implications of agro-biotechnology in modern farming.

  Read more

  

  Track

• Biology and Feminism

  • Lynn Hankinson Nelson

  • 276 pages
  • 10 hours of reading

  3.2(5)Add rating

  This book offers an insightful introduction to the interplay between gender and biology, rooted in feminist science research. Lynn Hankinson Nelson discusses research methods, ethical implications, and philosophical issues, while examining the contributions of feminist scholars across various scientific disciplines.

  Read more

  

  Track

• The Philosophy of Human Evolution

  • Michael Ruse

  3.4(12)Add rating

  This book provides a unique discussion of human evolution from a philosophical viewpoint, looking at the facts and interpretations since Charles Darwin's The Descent of Man. Michael Ruse explores such topics as the nature of scientific theories, the relationships between culture and biology, the problem of progress and the extent to which evolutionary issues pose problems for religious beliefs. He identifies these issues, highlighting the problems for morality in a world governed by natural selection. By taking a philosophical viewpoint, the full ethical and moral dimensions of human evolution are examined. This book engages the reader in a thorough discussion of the issues, appealing to students in philosophy, biology and anthropology.

  Read more

  

  Track