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Author: George C. Williams
Publisher: Basic Books
ISBN: 0465066917
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 123
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Book Description
We may regard ourselves as the most advanced species on the planet, but have we really reached our optimum design? Isn't't there always room for improvements? Before you answer, let noted evolutionary biologist George C. Williams remind you of both the exquisite adaptations and absurd maladaptations nature has bestowed upon us, the self-proclaimed "pinnacle of evolution."Picking up where Darwin left off, Williams combines philosophical perspective and scientific method to provide a foundation for the answers to some fascinating questions. He explains why our bodies have to deteriorate so disastrously with old age. He gives us logical reasons to explain why we crave foods like sugar and fat that have been proven time and again to be detrimental to our health. And Williams single-handedly deflates our Homo sapiens sapiens ego with such insights as: Our eyesight -- it may seem superior, but not when compared to that of the invertebrate squid, whose eye has developed over time to prove more efficient than ours. And wouldn't't it make more sense to have a third eye, located on the back of the head? We could have stereoscopic vision in front and rear-vision warning us of danger sneaking up behind. Rear-view mirrors would become a thing of the past. And why stop at three eyes? This fascinating new book is markedly different from all previous work on evolutionary biology. Using the pony fish and its luminescent abdomen as the perfect evolutionary mystery, Williams explores the intricacies of nature's designs. Rather than telling us how or why the pony fish got its light, Williams explains the functional reasons why the pony fish keeps its light. He also explains why our species keeps arbitrary or malfunctioned features like the reproductive and excretory systems' sharing of parts. George C. Williams, one of today's most qualified evolutionary biologists, has written an important, entertaining, and thought-provoking addition to a science that has captivated the world for almost 150 years.
Author: George C. Williams
Publisher: Basic Books
ISBN: 0465066917
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 123
Get Book Here
Book Description
We may regard ourselves as the most advanced species on the planet, but have we really reached our optimum design? Isn't't there always room for improvements? Before you answer, let noted evolutionary biologist George C. Williams remind you of both the exquisite adaptations and absurd maladaptations nature has bestowed upon us, the self-proclaimed "pinnacle of evolution."Picking up where Darwin left off, Williams combines philosophical perspective and scientific method to provide a foundation for the answers to some fascinating questions. He explains why our bodies have to deteriorate so disastrously with old age. He gives us logical reasons to explain why we crave foods like sugar and fat that have been proven time and again to be detrimental to our health. And Williams single-handedly deflates our Homo sapiens sapiens ego with such insights as: Our eyesight -- it may seem superior, but not when compared to that of the invertebrate squid, whose eye has developed over time to prove more efficient than ours. And wouldn't't it make more sense to have a third eye, located on the back of the head? We could have stereoscopic vision in front and rear-vision warning us of danger sneaking up behind. Rear-view mirrors would become a thing of the past. And why stop at three eyes? This fascinating new book is markedly different from all previous work on evolutionary biology. Using the pony fish and its luminescent abdomen as the perfect evolutionary mystery, Williams explores the intricacies of nature's designs. Rather than telling us how or why the pony fish got its light, Williams explains the functional reasons why the pony fish keeps its light. He also explains why our species keeps arbitrary or malfunctioned features like the reproductive and excretory systems' sharing of parts. George C. Williams, one of today's most qualified evolutionary biologists, has written an important, entertaining, and thought-provoking addition to a science that has captivated the world for almost 150 years.
Author: Michael P. Cohen
Publisher: Springer Nature
ISBN: 303111650X
Category : Literary Criticism
Languages : en
Pages : 371
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Book Description
In this book, a case study of a humanistic reading of an essential evolutionary theorist, George C. Williams (May 12, 1926–September 8, 2010), the author contends that certain classic works of evolutionary theory and history are the most important nature writing of recent times. What it means to be scientifically literate—is essential for humanistic scholars, who must ground themselves with literary reading of scientific texts. As the most influential American evolutionary theorist of the second half of the twentieth century, Williams masters critique, frames questions about adaptation and natural selection, and answers in a plain, aphoristic writing style. Williams aims for parsimony—to “recognize adaptation at the level necessitated by the facts and no higher”—through a minimalist writing style. This voice articulates a powerful process that operates at very low levels by blind and selfish chance at the expense of its designed products, using purely trial and error.
Author: Bradley A. Thayer
Publisher: University Press of Kentucky
ISBN: 0813181445
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 692
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Book Description
“Shows a mastery of research and theory in both biology and international relations and weaves the two fields together in a compelling fashion.” —Dr. Steven A. Peterson, Director, School of Public Affairs, Penn State Pathbreaking and controversial, Darwin and International Relations offers the first comprehensive analysis of international affairs of state through the lens of evolutionary theory. Using ethnological and statistical studies of warfare among tribal societies, Bradley A. Thayer argues that humans wage war for reasons predicted by evolutionary theory?to gain and protect vital resources but also for the physically and emotionally stimulating effects of combat. Thayer demonstrates that an evolutionary understanding of disease will become a more important part of the study of international relations as new strains of diseases emerge and advances in genetics make biological warfare a more effective weapon for states and terrorists. He also explains the deep causes of ethnic conflict by illuminating how xenophobia and ethnocentrism evolved in humans. He notes that these behaviors once contributed to our ancestors’ success in radically different environments, but they remain a part of us. Darwin and International Relations makes a major contribution to our understanding of human history and the future of international relations. “Obligatory reading for social and life scientists alike, and deserves to become a standard work in political science.” —International History Review “A thoughtful book that can challenge some of our comfortable assumptions.” —Journal of Military History “Outstanding! This book will become a standard work in political science.” —Roger D. Masters, Dartmouth College
Author: Lewis Vaughn
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
ISBN: 9780742513938
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 244
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Book Description
The Case for Humanism is the premier textbook to introduce and help students think critically about the big ideas of Western humanism--secularism, rationalism, materialism, science, democracy, individualism, and others--all powerful themes that run through Western thought from the ancient Greeks and the Enlightenment to the present day. Visit our website for sample chapters!
Author: Philip Frymire
Publisher: iUniverse
ISBN: 0595001963
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 118
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Book Description
Creationism has made a comeback recently by becoming supposedly more sophisticated. There is, however, nothing new in the arguments of recent “intelligent design” creationists. There is no substance to their claims and evolutionary biologists do not take them seriously. Nevertheless, creationists have recently made news by stealthily taking over the Kansas State Board of Education and the Oklahoma State Textbook Committee. They have used this power to remove evolution from the science standards in Kansas and to require that textbooks used in Oklahoma include an evolution disclaimer. Similar efforts are being made in many states. Creationists often use the arguments of the apparent leader of the “new creationism,” University of California at Berkeley law professor Phillip E. Johnson. Johnson has written several books aimed at the general public which are highly critical of Darwinism. Impeaching Mere Creationism provides a concise, non-technical, common sense rebuttal to the claims of Johnson and other “intelligent design” creationists.
Author: James F. White Jr.
Publisher: CRC Press
ISBN: 1420069322
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 436
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Book Description
Anemones and fish, ants and acacia trees, fungus and trees, buffaloes and oxpeckers--each of these unlikely duos is an inimitable partnership in which the species' coexistence is mutually beneficial. More specifically, they represent examples of defensive mutualism, when one species receives protection against predators or parasites in exchange for
Author: Kathleen A. Ryan Carlsson
Publisher: Xlibris Corporation
ISBN: 1477179887
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 110
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Book Description
For information about the book go to www.GroenendaelPress.com. Evolution and culture produce a body and mind to suit a creatures role in the world. Whether care of the young is provided by males, females or both, each species has evolved caregiver traits suited to that task. The result is caring- women and provider-men. In other words you are what you do. However, with the honing of each trait, a creature pays a price. In the case of a woman who specialized her body and mind to childcare, the price was a failure to develop skill at financial self sufficiency and individual direction, which in turn made it more likely that such a woman will live in a subordinate relationship. Women as primary parents perpetuated gender roles. Women internalized this definition of themselves, and they became somewhat comfortable with it. Even when they wanted more power over their lives, they found themselves trapped from within. But, human beings have also evolved the trait of educability. We can learn. We can choose the direction in which we develop our abilities and traits. The case against women raising children is the case for parents raising children.
Author: Manyuan Long
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 9401002290
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 198
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Book Description
Although interest in evolutionary novelties can be that these different mechanisms cooperate in the mak traced back to the time of Darwin, the appreciation ing of new genes. In the second phase of new gene evolution, conventional models of new gene evolution, and systematical experimental pursuit of the origin and evolution of new gene functions did not appear for example by gene duplication, held that the muta until the early years of last decade. Since the 1970s, tions fixed in the early stages of the new genes are Susumu Ohno, Walter Gilbert, and others from the assumed to be neutral or nearly neutral. However, it area of evolutionary genetics have made pioneer ef appears that the force of Darwinian positive selection has been detectably strong from the outset in avail forts to elaborate possibilities for major biological mechanisms, for example, gene duplication and exon able population genetic studies of young genes created through the process of exon recombination. This may shuffling, by which new gene functions could arise. However, the problem of new gene evolution did not account for a common phenomenon in phylogenetic catch significant attention among biologists generally analyses of genes with changed functions: the early even recently. One of the reasons was the lack of ex stages of such genes are usually associated with accel perimental or observational systems for investigating erated substitution rates. Nonetheless, a more general factual details of the 'birth' process of new genes.
Author: Alan R. Rogers
Publisher: University of Chicago Press
ISBN: 0226723828
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 128
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Book Description
States over the past 500 years have become the dominant institutions on Earth, exercising vast and varied authority over the economic well-being, health, welfare, and very lives of their citizens. This book explains how power became centralized in states at the expense of the myriad of other polities that had battled one another over previous millennia. The author traces the contested and historically contingent struggles by which subjects began to see themselves as citizens of nations and came to associate their interests and identities with states, and explains why the civil rights and benefits they achieved, and the taxes and military service they in turn rendered to their nations, varied so much. Looking forward, he examines the future in store for states: will they gain or lose strength as they are buffeted by globalization, terrorism, economic crisis and environmental disaster? This book offers an evaluation of the social science literature that addresses these issues and situates the state at the center of the world history of capitalism, nationalism and democracy.
Author: Kenneth R. Miller
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
ISBN: 1476790272
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 304
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Book Description
From one of America’s best-known biologists, a revolutionary new way of thinking about evolution that shows “why, in light of our origins, humans are still special” (Edward J. Larson, Pulitzer Prize–winning author of Evolution). Once we had a special place in the hierarchy of life on Earth—a place confirmed by the literature and traditions of every human tribe. But then the theory of evolution arrived to shake the tree of human understanding to its roots. To many of the most passionate advocates for Darwin’s theory, we are just one species among multitudes, no more significant than any other. Even our minds are not our own, they tell us, but living machines programmed for nothing but survival and reproduction. In The Human Instinct, Brown University biologist Kenneth R. Miller “confronts both lay and professional misconceptions about evolution” (Publishers Weekly, starred review), showing that while evolution explains how our bodies and brains were shaped, that heritage does not limit or predetermine human behavior. In fact, Miller argues in this “highly recommended” (Forbes) work that it is only thanks to evolution that we have the power to shape our destiny. Equal parts natural science and philosophy, The Human Instinct makes an “absorbing, lucid, and engaging…case that it was evolution that gave us our humanity” (Ursula Goodenough, professor of biology at Washington University in St. Louis).
