
Thinking about Life
The history and philosophy of biology and other sciences
Springer (Publisher)
1st Edition
Published on 7. November 2008
Book
Hardback
XIV, 267 pages
978-1-4020-8865-0 (ISBN)
Description
Our previous book, About Life, concerned modern biology. We used our present-day understanding of cells to 'define' the living state, providing a basis for exploring several general-interest topics: the origin of life, extraterrestrial life, intelligence, and the possibility that humans are unique. The ideas we proposed in About Life were intended as starting-points for debate - we did not claim them as 'truth' - but the information on which they were based is currently accepted as 'scientific fact'. What does that mean? What is 'scientific fact' and why is it accepted? What is science - and is biology like other sciences such as physics (except in subject m- ter)? The book you are now reading investigates these questions - and some related ones. Like About Life, it may particularly interest a reader who wishes to change career to biology and its related subdisciplines. In line with a recommendation by the British Association for the Advancement of Science - that the public should be given fuller information about the nature of science - we present the concepts underpinning biology and a survey of its historical and philosophical basis.
More details
Edition
2009
Language
English
Place of publication
Dordrecht
Netherlands
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Research
Illustrations
XIV, 267 p.
Dimensions
Height: 241 mm
Width: 160 mm
Thickness: 20 mm
Weight
594 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-4020-8865-0 (9781402088650)
DOI
10.1007/978-1-4020-8866-7
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Paul S. Agutter | Denys N. Wheatley
Thinking about Life
The history and philosophy of biology and other sciences
Book
10/2010
Springer
€53.49
Shipment within 15-20 days

Paul S. Agutter | Denys N. Wheatley
Thinking about Life
The history and philosophy of biology and other sciences
E-Book
11/2008
Springer
€53.49
Available for download
Content
What is Science?.- Culture, Technology and Knowledge.- Classical Roots.- Mediaeval Views of the World.- The Scientific Revolution.- The 'Scientific Revolution' in Biology.- Aristotle's Biology.- How Different Are Organisms from Inanimate Objects?.- Cell Theory and Experimental Physiology: New Ideas in a Changing Society.- Embryos and Entelechy.- Spontaneous Generation.- The Evolution of Darwinism.- The Great Heredity Debate.- Evolutionary Theory Attains Maturity.- The Problem of Purpose.- The Scientific Status of Biology.