Classification, Evolution, and the Nature of Biology

Alec L. Panchen

ISBN 10: 0521315786 / ISBN 13: 9780521315784

Published by Cambridge University Press, 1992

About this Item

Druck auf Anfrage Neuware - Printed after ordering - Historically, naturalists who proposed theories of evolution, including Darwin and Wallace, did so in order to explain the apparent relationship of natural classification. This book begins by exploring the intimate historical relationship between patterns of classification and patterns of phylogeny. However, it is a circular argument to use the data for classification. Alec Panchen presents other evidence for evolution in the form of a historically based but rigorously logical argument. This is followed by a history of methods of classification and phylogeny reconstruction including current mathematical and molecular techniques. The author makes the important claim that if the hierarchical pattern of classification is a real phenomenon, then biology is unique as a science in making taxonomic statements. This conclusion is reached by way of historical reviews of theories of evolutionary mechanism and the philosophy of science as applied to biology. The book is addressed to biologists, particularly taxonomists, concerned with the history and philosophy of their subject, and to philosophers of science concerned with biology. It is also an important source book on methods of classification and the logic of evolutionary theory for students, professional biologists, and paleontologists.

Seller Inventory # 9780521315784

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Classification, Evolution, and the Nature of Biology
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication Date: 1992
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0521315786
• ISBN 13: 9780521315784
• Binding: Taschenbuch
• Condition: Neu
• Dimensions: 229W x 152H x 25D millimeters 229 millimeters width by 152 millimeters height by 25 millimeters depth
• Weight: 672 grams

About this title

Synopsis

Historically, naturalists who propose theories of evolution, including Darwin and Wallace, have done so in order to explain the apparent relationship of natural classification. This book begins by exploring the intimate historical relationship between patterns of classification and patterns of phylogeny. It is a circular argument, however, to use the data for classification and the concept of homology as evidence for evolution, when evolution is the theory explaining the phenomenon of natural classification. Alec Panchen presents other evidence for evolution in the form of a historically-based but rigorously logical argument. This is then followed by a history of methods of classification and phylogeny reconstruction including current mathematical and molecular techniques. The author makes the important claim that if the hierarchical pattern of classification is a real phenomenon, then biology is unique as a science in making taxonomic statements. This conclusion is reached by way of historical reviews of theories of evolutionary mechanism and the philosophy of science as applied to biology.

Book Description

After exploring the relationship between patterns of classification and phylogeny, this text concludes that if the hierarchical pattern of classification is a real phenomenon, then the taxonomic statements of biology are unique.