The Dialectical Biologist
Published on 15. March 1987
Book
Paperback/Softback
336 pages
978-0-674-20283-2 (ISBN)
Description
Scientists act within a social context and from a philosophical perspective that is inherently political. Whether they realize it or not, scientists always choose sides. The Dialectical Biologist explores this political nature of scientific inquiry, advancing its argument within the framework of Marxist dialectic. These essays stress the concepts of continual change and codetermination between organism and environment, part and whole, structure and process, science and politics. Throughout, this book questions our accepted definitions and biases, showing the self-reflective nature of scientific activity within society.
Reviews / Votes
The book successfully achieves the authors' goal of demonstrating by example the power and nature of the dialectical method. Its usefulness, however, extends well beyond this. The articles are intellectually challenging in content as well as method. And by collecting in one place articles on evolution, scientific analysis and the social dimensions of science-the book's three major divisions-the authors have provided a valuable tool for exploring the complexity and richness of biology... The Dialectical Biologist is certain to be controversial... This book is a rich source of understanding, and it will undoubtedly stimulate important discussion. * New York Times Book Review * This important and controversial book will be hotly discussed by biologists. * Library Journal * An extremely readable and very provocative book. * New Scientist *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Cambridge, Mass
United States
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Illustrations
6 line illustrations, 4 tables
Dimensions
Height: 210 mm
Width: 137 mm
Weight
358 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-674-20283-2 (9780674202832)
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
Richard Levins | Richard Lewontin
Dialectical Biologist
E-Book
03/1987
1st Edition
Harvard University Press
€91.99
Available for download
Persons
Richard Levins was John Rock Professor of Population Sciences at the Harvard School of Public Health. Richard Lewontin was Alexander Agassiz Research Professor of Zoology, Emeritus, at the Harvard University Museum of Comparative Zoology. His many books include Biology and Ideology, Not in Our Genes, and Human Diversity.
Content
Introduction 1. On Evolution Evolution as Theory and Ideology Adaptation The Organism as the Subject and Object of Evolution 2. On Analysis The Analysis of Variance and the Analysis of Causes Isidore Nabi on the Tendencies of Motion Dialectics and Reductionism in Ecology 3. Science as a Social Product and the Social Product of Science The Problem of Lysenkoism The Commoditizatjon of Science The Political Economy of Agricultural Research Applied Biology in the Third World The Pesticide System Research Needs for Latin Community Health What Is Human Nature? Conclusion: Dialectics Bibliography Index