Life Concepts From Aristotle To Darwin
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Life Concepts From Aristotle To Darwin
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Author : Lucas John Mix
language : en
Publisher: Springer
Release Date : 2018-08-29
Life Concepts From Aristotle To Darwin written by Lucas John Mix and has been published by Springer this book supported file pdf, txt, epub, kindle and other format this book has been release on 2018-08-29 with Philosophy categories.
This book traces the history of life-concepts, with a focus on the vegetable souls of Aristotle, investigating how they were interpreted and eventually replaced by evolutionary biology. Philosophers have long struggled with the relationship between physics, physiology, and psychology, asking questions of organization, purpose, and agency. For two millennia, the vegetable soul, nutrition, and reproduction were commonly used to understand basic life and connect it to “higher” animal and vegetable life. Cartesian dualism and mechanism destroyed this bridge and left biology without an organizing principle until Darwin. Modern biology parallels Aristotelian vegetable life-concepts, but remains incompatible with the animal, rational, subjective, and spiritual life-concepts that developed through the centuries. Recent discoveries call for a second look at Aristotle’s ideas – though not their medieval descendants. Life remains an active, chemical process whose cause, identity, and purpose is self-perpetuation.
Life Concepts From Aristotle To Darwin
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Author : Lucas John Mix
language : en
Publisher:
Release Date : 2018
Life Concepts From Aristotle To Darwin written by Lucas John Mix and has been published by this book supported file pdf, txt, epub, kindle and other format this book has been release on 2018 with Evolution (Biology) categories.
This book traces the history of life-concepts, with a focus on the vegetable souls of Aristotle, investigating how they were interpreted and eventually replaced by evolutionary biology. Philosophers have long struggled with the relationship between physics, physiology, and psychology, asking questions of organization, purpose, and agency. For two millennia, the vegetable soul, nutrition, and reproduction were commonly used to understand basic life and connect it to "higher" animal and vegetable life. Cartesian dualism and mechanism destroyed this bridge and left biology without an organizing principle until Darwin. Modern biology parallels Aristotelian vegetable life-concepts, but remains incompatible with the animal, rational, subjective, and spiritual life-concepts that developed through the centuries. Recent discoveries call for a second look at Aristotle's ideas - though not their medieval descendants. Life remains an active, chemical process whose cause, identity, and purpose is self-perpetuation.
From Aristotle To Darwin And Back Again
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Author : Etienne Gilson
language : en
Publisher: Ignatius Press
Release Date : 2009
From Aristotle To Darwin And Back Again written by Etienne Gilson and has been published by Ignatius Press this book supported file pdf, txt, epub, kindle and other format this book has been release on 2009 with Religion categories.
Darwin's theory of evolution remains controversial, even though most scientists, philosophers, and even theologians accept it, in some form, as an explanation for the variety of organisms. The controversy erupts when the theory is used to try to explain everything, including every aspect of human life, and to deny the role of a Creator or a purpose to life. The overreaching of many scientists into matters beyond the self-imposed limits of scientific method is perhaps explained in part by the loss of two important ideas in modern thinking--final causality or purpose, and formal causality. Scientists understandably bracket the idea out of their scientific thinking because they seek explanations on the level of material and efficient causes only. Yet many of them wrongly conclude from their selective study of the world that final and formal causes do not exist at all and that they have no place in the rational study of life. Likewise, many erroneously assume that philosophy cannot draw upon scientific findings, in light of final and formal causality, to better understand the world and man. The great philosopher and historian of philosophy, Etienne Gilson, sets out to show that final causality or purposiveness and formal causality are principles for those who think hard and carefully about the world, including the world of biology. Gilson insists that a completely rational understanding of organisms and biological systems requires the philosophical notion of teleology, the idea that certain kinds of things exist and have ends or purposes the fulfillment of which are linked to their natures--in other words, formal and final causes. His approach relies on philosophical reflection on the facts of science, not upon theology or an appeal to religious authorities such as the Church or the Bible.
Aristotle S Ladder Darwin S Tree
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Author : J. David Archibald
language : en
Publisher: Columbia University Press
Release Date : 2014-08-19
Aristotle S Ladder Darwin S Tree written by J. David Archibald and has been published by Columbia University Press this book supported file pdf, txt, epub, kindle and other format this book has been release on 2014-08-19 with Science categories.
Leading paleontologist J. David Archibald explores the rich history of visual metaphors for biological order from ancient times to the present and their influence on humans' perception of their place in nature, offering uncommon insight into how we went from standing on the top rung of the biological ladder to embodying just one tiny twig on the tree of life. He begins with the ancient but still misguided use of ladders to show biological order, moving then to the use of trees to represent seasonal life cycles and genealogies by the Romans. The early Christian Church then appropriated trees to represent biblical genealogies. The late eighteenth century saw the tree reclaimed to visualize relationships in the natural world, sometimes with a creationist view, but in other instances suggesting evolution. Charles Darwin's On the Origin of Species (1859) exorcised the exclusively creationist view of the "tree of life," and his ideas sparked an explosion of trees, mostly by younger acolytes in Europe. Although Darwin's influence waned in the early twentieth century, by midcentury his ideas held sway once again in time for another and even greater explosion of tree building, generated by the development of new theories on how to assemble trees, the birth of powerful computing, and the emergence of molecular technology. Throughout Archibald's far-reaching study, and with the use of many figures, the evolution of "tree of life" iconography becomes entwined with our changing perception of the world and ourselves.
Information Theory And Evolution Third Edition
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Author : John Scales Avery
language : en
Publisher: World Scientific
Release Date : 2021-11-24
Information Theory And Evolution Third Edition written by John Scales Avery and has been published by World Scientific this book supported file pdf, txt, epub, kindle and other format this book has been release on 2021-11-24 with Science categories.
This highly interdisciplinary book discusses the phenomenon of life, including its origin and evolution, against the background of thermodynamics, statistical mechanics, and information theory. Among the central themes is the seeming contradiction between the second law of thermodynamics and the high degree of order and complexity produced by living systems. As the author shows, this paradox has its resolution in the information content of the Gibbs free energy that enters the biosphere from outside sources. Another focus of the book is the role of information in human cultural evolution, which is also discussed with the origin of human linguistic abilities. One of the final chapters addresses the merging of information technology and biotechnology into a new discipline — bioinformation technology.This third edition has been updated to reflect the latest scientific and technological advances. Professor Avery makes use of the perspectives of famous scholars such as Professor Noam Chomsky and Nobel Laureates John O'Keefe, May-Britt Moser and Edward Moser to cast light on the evolution of human languages. The mechanism of cell differentiation, and the rapid acceleration of information technology in the 21st century are also discussed.With various research disciplines becoming increasingly interrelated today, Information Theory and Evolution provides nuance to the conversation between bioinformatics, information technology, and pertinent social-political issues. This book is a welcome voice in working on the future challenges that humanity will face as a result of scientific and technological progress.
The Reluctant Mr Darwin An Intimate Portrait Of Charles Darwin And The Making Of His Theory Of Evolution Great Discoveries
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Author : David Quammen
language : en
Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
Release Date : 2007-07-17
The Reluctant Mr Darwin An Intimate Portrait Of Charles Darwin And The Making Of His Theory Of Evolution Great Discoveries written by David Quammen and has been published by W. W. Norton & Company this book supported file pdf, txt, epub, kindle and other format this book has been release on 2007-07-17 with Biography & Autobiography categories.
"Quammen brilliantly and powerfully re-creates the 19th century naturalist's intellectual and spiritual journey."--Los Angeles Times Book Review Twenty-one years passed between Charles Darwin's epiphany that "natural selection" formed the basis of evolution and the scientist's publication of On the Origin of Species. Why did Darwin delay, and what happened during the course of those two decades? The human drama and scientific basis of these years constitute a fascinating, tangled tale that elucidates the character of a cautious naturalist who initiated an intellectual revolution.
The Institutions Of Extraterrestrial Liberty
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Author : Charles S. Cockell
language : en
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Release Date : 2022-12-09
The Institutions Of Extraterrestrial Liberty written by Charles S. Cockell and has been published by Oxford University Press this book supported file pdf, txt, epub, kindle and other format this book has been release on 2022-12-09 with Science categories.
The exploration of space raises new problems in the expression of human freedoms. While the potential to establish new extraterrestrial settlements is thrilling, it also brings along a myriad of decisions to consider when addressing how these settlements should operate in a way which maintains human liberties. In this book, many dimensions of freedom in space are discussed. Aspects of liberty beyond Earth, from the near term: freedom to claim satellite orbits, to the very long-term: freedom on interstellar worldships, are considered. Gathering a diverse set of expertise from scientists, ethicists, lawyers, philosophers and social scientists, they seek to collectively answer questions such as: How should early governance structures be assembled? What are the ideal forms of institutions, from science academies to schools and governments? What freedoms can people expect in space and how will governance beyond Earth tread the fine line between authority and liberty? A compelling analysis of liberties on Earth, the solar system, and beyond - this text is bound to inspire the interests of academics and scientists alike.
Darwin Then And Now
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Author : Richard William Nelson
language : en
Publisher: iUniverse
Release Date : 2009-07-23
Darwin Then And Now written by Richard William Nelson and has been published by iUniverse this book supported file pdf, txt, epub, kindle and other format this book has been release on 2009-07-23 with Science categories.
Darwin, Then and Now is a journey through the most amazing story in the history of science; encapsulating who Darwin was, what he said and what scientists have discovered since the publication of The Origin of Species in 1859. While recognized as one of the most influential individuals of the twentieth century, little is widely known about his personal life, interests, and motivations. This book explores Darwins driving passion using Darwins own words from The Origin of Species, Autobiography, Voyage of the Beagle and letters. In retracing the roots of evolution from the Greeks, Darwin, Then and Now journeys through the dynamics of the eighteenth century that lead to the publication of The Origin of Species and the succeeding role of key players in the emerging evolution revolution. Darwin, Then and Now examines Darwins theory with more than three-hundred quotations from The Origin of Species, spotlighting what Darwin said concerning the origin of species and natural selection using the American Museum of Natural History Darwin exhibit format. With over one-thousand referenced quotations from scientists and historians, Darwin, Then and Now explores the scientific evidence over the past 150 years from the fossil record, molecular biology, embryology, and modern genetics. Join the blog at www.DarwinThenAndNow.com to post your comments and questions.
The End Of Final Causes In Biology
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Author : Lucas John Mix
language : en
Publisher: Springer Nature
Release Date : 2022-10-31
The End Of Final Causes In Biology written by Lucas John Mix and has been published by Springer Nature this book supported file pdf, txt, epub, kindle and other format this book has been release on 2022-10-31 with Philosophy categories.
This book provides a straightforward introduction to teleology in biology, the work it did and the work it can do. Informed by history and philosophy, it focuses on scientific concerns. Seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth century biologists proposed a menagerie of biological “actors” to explain power without appealing to Aristotelian vegetable souls and final causes. Three constraints on teleology narrowed the field, selecting among the various actors as they mutated and recombined. Methodological naturalism, local adaptation, and blind chance each represent a significant philosophical advance in biology. Kant, Darwin, and the Modern Synthesis provided a new teleology, grounded in natural selection, an etiological recursion of form and function, and the details of carbon chemistry on Earth. They naturalized teleology, but they also finalized nature, shifting conceptions about the world and science. Understanding these links – historical, philosophical, and theoretical – sets the stage for new work moving forward.
Aristotle S Concept Of Chance
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Author : John Dudley
language : en
Publisher: State University of New York Press
Release Date : 2012-02-23
Aristotle S Concept Of Chance written by John Dudley and has been published by State University of New York Press this book supported file pdf, txt, epub, kindle and other format this book has been release on 2012-02-23 with Philosophy categories.
This landmark book is the first to provide a comprehensive account of Aristotle's concept of chance. Chance is invoked by many to explain order in the universe, the origins of life, even human freedom and happiness. An understanding of Aristotle's concept of chance is indispensable for an appreciation of his views on nature and ethics, views which have had a tremendous influence on the development of Western philosophy. Author John Dudley analyzes Aristotle's account of chance in the Physics, the Metaphysics, in his biological and ethical treatises, and in a number of his other works as well. Important complementary considerations such as Aristotle's criticism of Presocratic philosophers, particularly Empedocles and Democritus, Plato's concept of chance, the chronology of Aristotle's works, and the relevance of Aristotle's work to evolution and quantum theory are also covered in depth. This is an essential book for scholars and students of Western philosophy.