Evolutionary Biology: Contemporary and Historical Reflections Upon Core Theory

The book explores core theories in evolutionary biology, exposing the main areas of interest for discussion and drawing together hypotheses and future research directions. It challenges the Modern Synthesis (MS) and calls for an Extended Evolutionary Synthesis (EES). The book includes historical perspectives, theoretical and philosophical approaches, and the use of specific biological models to inspect core ideas. It is written by practicing biologists and behavioral biologists, historians, and philosophers and is a valuable resource for historians and philosophers of biology as well as for biologists.

Format: Hardback
Length: 625 pages
Publication date: 09 March 2023
Publisher: Springer International Publishing AG

The Modern Synthesis (MS) in evolutionary biology has been extensively documented and discussed, but it has also faced significant criticism in recent years. Researchers from diverse disciplinary backgrounds have argued that the MS needs to be extended, leading to the proposal of the Extended Evolutionary Synthesis (EES). This book provides an introduction to the EES claim and its treatment throughout the book. The chapters are organized around historical perspectives, theoretical and philosophical approaches, and the use of specific biological models to inspect core ideas. Both empirical and theoretical contributions are included, with the majority of chapters addressing various aspects of the EES position and reflecting upon the MS. Some chapters take historical perspectives, analyzing various details of the MS and EES claims. Others offer theoretical and philosophical analyses of the debate, or take contemporary findings in biology and discuss those findings and their possible theoretical interpretations. All of the chapters draw upon actual biology to make their points. The book is written by practicing biologists and behavioral biologists, historians, and philosophers, many of whom work in the field of evolutionary biology. It is intended for researchers, students, and anyone interested in the field of evolutionary biology.

Weight: 1124g
Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783031220272
Edition number: 1st ed. 2023