Exploring the Borderlands: Documents Of The Committee On Common Problems Of Genetics, Paleontology, And Systematics - Hardcover

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0871699427 ISBN 13: 9780871699428

Publisher: The American Philosophical Society Press, 2004

Synopsis

Book by

About this title

About the Author

Joe Cain is Professor of History and Philosophy of Biology, UCL Department of Science and Technology Studies (STS). 
Professor Joe Cain is an expert in the history of evolutionary biology, especially Darwin, Darwinism, and the professional evolutionary studies in the twentieth century. Joe's research interests include the history of evolutionary studies, Darwin and Darwinism, history of science in London, history of eugenics, heritage studies, and history of natural history. Recent projects include: use of jokes in science to measure tribal affiliations, romantic collaborations in modern science, and the famous dinosaur statues in London's Crystal Palace. Joe is director of the Legacies of Eugenics project. Joe hosts the podcast WeAreSTS.

From the Back Cover

The Society for the Study of Evolution and its journal, Evolution, have their origins in the work of a small national committee of the National Research Council. This was organised by George Gaylord Simpson and Theodosius Dobzhansky in 1942. Events of World War Two intervened such that Ernst Mayr took effective control in 1943. The Committee on Common Problems of Genetics and Paleontology (later Systematics was added to their title) provided a crucial foothold for those seeking a synthesis in evolution during 1930s-1940s America.
Exploring the Borderlands recovers and transcribes key working documents from the Committee as Mayr and others worked to build coalitions, define priorities, and negotiate a common vision. They also show factions within the Committee competing to lead this emerging community. These primary sources have ben forgotten; however, the shed important light on the creation of the idea of an evolutionary synthesis.
The committee's activities and organisational history are discussed in Joe Cain. 2002. "Epistemic and community transition in American evolutionary studies: the 'Committee on Common Problems of Genetics, Paleontology, and Systematics' (1942-1949)." Studies in History and Philosophy of Biological and Biomedical Sciences 33 (2):283-313.
Description
This volume includes all documents distributed by the Committee on Common Problems, including:

• both Reports of Meeting, October 1943
• all Committee Bulletins 1-6, 1944-1946
• Appendices:
  -initial recuiting letter for the Committee
  -Committee mailing list
  -reading lists recommended by the Committee on genetics, paleontology, systematics and paleobotany
  -questionnaire from George Gaylord Simpson while organising the 1947 Princeton conference

These historical documents offer an opportunity to examine firsthand the Committee's activities and to reconsider questions of motivation, interaction, and influence.

Edition details

• Publisher: The American Philosophical Society Press
• Publication date: 2004
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0871699427
• ISBN 13: 9780871699428
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 160
• Editor: Cain Joe