Species A History of the Idea [Paperback]

The complex idea of species has evolved over time, yet its meaning is far from resolved. This comprehensive work takes a fresh look at an idea central to the field of biology by tracing its history from antiquity to today. John S. Wilkins explores the essentialist view, a staple of logic from Plato and Aristotle through the Middle Ages to fairly recent times, and considers the idea of species in natural historya concept often connected to reproduction. Tracing generative conceptions of species back through Darwin to Epicurus, Wilkins provides a new perspective on the relationship between philosophical and biological approaches to this concept. He also reviews the array of current definitions.Speciesis a benchmark exploration and clarification of a concept fundamental to the past, present, and future of the natural sciences.

John S. Wilkins is Research Fellow in Philosophy at the University of Sydney. He is the author ofDefining Species: A Sourcebook from Antiquity to Today.

Preface vii
Acknowledgments xiii

Prologue 1

The Classical Era: Science by Division 9

The Medieval Bridge 35

Species and the Birth of Modern Science 47

The Early Nineteenth Century: A Period of Change 97

Darwin and the Darwinians 129

The Species Problem Arises 165

The Synthesis and Species 181

Modern Debates 197

Reproductive Isolation Concepts 197

Evolutionary Species Concepts 201

Phylogenetic Species Concepts 205

Other Species Concepts 216

Historical Summary and Conclusions 227

Notes 235
References 251
Index 289
About the Author

Few topics have engaged biologists and philosophers more than the concept of species, and arguably no idea is more important for evolutionary science. John S. Wilkins' book combines meticulous historical and philosophical analysis and tlÃ*