Pragmatic Evolution
Applications of Evolutionary Theory
1st Edition
Published on 20. March 2012
978-1-139-18046-7 (ISBN)
Description
Of what use is evolutionary science to society? Can evolutionary thinking provide us with the tools to better understand and even make positive changes to the world? Addressing key questions about the development of evolutionary thinking, this book explores the interaction between evolutionary theory and its practical applications. Featuring contributions from leading specialists, Pragmatic Evolution highlights the diverse and interdisciplinary applications of evolutionary thinking: their potential and limitations. The fields covered range from palaeontology, genetics, ecology, agriculture, fisheries, medicine, neurobiology, psychology and animal behaviour; to information technology, education, anthropology and philosophy. Detailed examples of useful and current evolutionary applications are provided throughout. An ideal source of information to promote a better understanding of contemporary evolutionary science and its applications, this book also encourages the continued development of new opportunities for constructive evolutionary applications across a range of fields.
Reviews / Votes
'Evolution theory is usually regarded as the study of how biological diversity arose. Here we see that it also has vital applications in many fields of human endeavour including medicine and food production. Aldo Poiani has done society a great service by producing this unique compilation.' Paul Harvey, University of Oxford 'Poiani has presented us with a veritable treasure trove of examples to demonstrate the expanding relevance of evolutionary theory. This work will undoubtedly bolster the allegiance of those already committed to the ubiquity of evolutionary theory as well as convert those who have until now remained agnostic or skeptical.' Peter Takacs, The Quarterly Review of Biology '... this diverse collection of papers is at the moment the best source of ideas about the also diverse, and rapidly increasing, array of areas in which a perspective inspired by evolutionary biology can find rewarding application.' Science and EducationMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
Cambridge
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Cambridge University Press
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Illustrations
6 Tables, black and white; 4 Plates, color; 24 Halftones, unspecified; 8 Line drawings, unspecified
File size
5,69 MB
ISBN-13
978-1-139-18046-7 (9781139180467)
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
Book
11/2011
Cambridge University Press
€87.50
Article not available at the moment
Person
Aldo Poiani is an evolutionary ecologist at the School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Australia. He has published widely in the fields of avian cooperative breeding and host-parasite interactions, including aspects related to behaviour, endocrinology and comparative biology. He is the author of Animal Homosexuality: A Biosocial Perspective (Cambridge University Press, 2010).
Content
List of contributors; Preface; Acknowledgments; Introduction Aldo Poiani; Part I. Evolution, Ecology and Conservation: 1. Evolution, missing links and climate change: recent advances in understanding transformational macroevolution John Long; 2. Evolutionary perspectives in conservation genetics Kamal Ibrahim and Roberta Torunsky; Part II. Evolution and Food Production: 3. Evolution in agriculture Steve Wratten, Mark Gillespie and Aldo Poiani; 4. The evolutionary ecology of pollination and the functional biology of agricultural plants Martin Burd, Angelica Martinez Bauer and Mani R. Shrestha; 5. The dawn of Darwinian fishery management Mikko Heino, Adriaan Rijnsdorp and Ulf Dieckmann; Part III. Evolution and Medicine: 6. Evolution: a basic science for medicine Randolph Nesse; 7. Evolutionary insights for immunological interventions Paul W. Ewald and Holly A. Swain Ewald; 8. Neuroevolution and neurodegeneration: two sides of the same coin? Jonathan Foster, Peter Boord and Michael Smith; 9. Evolution, music and neurotherapy Alan Harvey; Part IV. Evolution and Psychology: 10. Antecedents of teenage pregnancy: using an evolutionary perspective in the search for mechanisms David Coall, Tomas E. Dickins and Daniel Nettle; 11. Flourishing and fitness: an evolutionary perspective on health capability Jim Chisholm; Part V. Evolution and Computing: 12. Natural computation: evolving solutions to complex problems David Green; 13. Harnessing the swarm: technological applications of collective intelligence Suzanne Sadedin and Edgar A. Duenez-Guzman; Part VI. Evolution and Society: 14. Evolutionary arguments against the de facto re-pathologising of homosexuality Aldo Poiani; 15. Teaching evolution and the nature of science Douglas Futuyma; 16. Evolutionary ideologies Jonathan Marks; 17. Can Darwinism offer existential reassurance at times of personal or social crisis? Michael Ruse; Index.
