
Evolution in Four Dimensions
Genetic, Epigenetic, Behavioral, and Symbolic Variation in the History of Life
MIT Press
2nd Edition
Published on 21. March 2014
Book
Paperback/Softback
576 pages
978-0-262-52584-8 (ISBN)
Description
A pioneering proposal for a pluralistic extension of evolutionary theory, now updated to reflect the most recent research. This new edition of the widely read Evolution in Four Dimensions has been revised to reflect the spate of new discoveries in biology since the book was first published in 2005, offering corrections, an updated bibliography, and a substantial new chapter. Eva Jablonka and Marion Lamb's pioneering argument proposes that there is more to heredity than genes. They describe four "dimensions" in heredity-four inheritance systems that play a role in evolution: genetic, epigenetic (or non-DNA cellular transmission of traits), behavioral, and symbolic (transmission through language and other forms of symbolic communication). These systems, they argue, can all provide variations on which natural selection can act. Jablonka and Lamb present a richer, more complex view of evolution than that offered by the gene-based Modern Synthesis, arguing that induced and acquired changes also play a role. Their lucid and accessible text is accompanied by artist-physician Anna Zeligowski's lively drawings, which humorously and effectively illustrate the authors' points. Each chapter ends with a dialogue in which the authors refine their arguments against the vigorous skepticism of the fictional "I.M." (for Ipcha Mistabra-Aramaic for "the opposite conjecture"). The extensive new chapter, presented engagingly as a dialogue with I.M., updates the information on each of the four dimensions-with special attention to the epigenetic, where there has been an explosion of new research. Praise for the first edition"With courage and verve, and in a style accessible to general readers, Jablonka and Lamb lay out some of the exciting new pathways of Darwinian evolution that have been uncovered by contemporary research."
-Evelyn Fox Keller, MIT, author of Making Sense of Life: Explaining Biological Development with Models, Metaphors, and Machines"In their beautifully written and impressively argued new book, Jablonka and Lamb show that the evidence from more than fifty years of molecular, behavioral and linguistic studies forces us to reevaluate our inherited understanding of evolution."
-Oren Harman, The New Republic"It is not only an enjoyable read, replete with ideas and facts of interest but it does the most valuable thing a book can do-it makes you think and reexamine your premises and long-held conclusions."
-Adam Wilkins, BioEssays
-Evelyn Fox Keller, MIT, author of Making Sense of Life: Explaining Biological Development with Models, Metaphors, and Machines"In their beautifully written and impressively argued new book, Jablonka and Lamb show that the evidence from more than fifty years of molecular, behavioral and linguistic studies forces us to reevaluate our inherited understanding of evolution."
-Oren Harman, The New Republic"It is not only an enjoyable read, replete with ideas and facts of interest but it does the most valuable thing a book can do-it makes you think and reexamine your premises and long-held conclusions."
-Adam Wilkins, BioEssays
More details
Series
Edition
revised edition
Language
English
Place of publication
Cambridge
United States
Publishing group
MIT Press Ltd
Target group
Professional and scholarly
US School Grade: College Graduate Student and over
Edition type
Revised edition
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Illustrations
73 s/w Abbildungen
73 b&w illus., table; 146 Illustrations
Dimensions
Height: 228 mm
Width: 151 mm
Thickness: 35 mm
Weight
685 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-262-52584-8 (9780262525848)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Eva Jablonka | Marion J. Lamb
Evolution in Four Dimensions, revised edition
Genetic, Epigenetic, Behavioral, and Symbolic Variation in the History of Life
E-Book
04/2014
Bradford Books
€38.99
Available for download

Eva Jablonka | Marion J. Lamb
Evolution in Four Dimensions
Genetic, Epigenetic, Behavioral, and Symbolic Variation in the History of Life
Book
05/2005
Bradford Books
€32.13
Article exhausted; check for reprint
Previous edition

Eva Jablonka | Marion J. Lamb | Anna Zeligowski
Evolution in Four Dimensions
Genetic, Epigenetic, Behavioral, and Symbolic Variation in the History of Life
Book
09/2006
Bradford Books
€24.70
No shipping information available
Persons
Eva Jablonka is Professor at the Cohn Institute for the History and Philosophy of Science and Ideas at Tel Aviv University. Marion J. Lamb was Senior Lecturer at Birkbeck College, University of London, before her retirement. Jablonka and Lamb are also the authors of Epigenetic Inheritance and Evolution.
Author
ProfessorTel Aviv University
Collegium Budapest
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