Reconstructing the Past

Reconstructing the Past PDF Author: Elliott Sober
Publisher: MIT Press
ISBN: 9780262691444
Category : Psychology
Languages : en
Pages : 298

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Book Description
Reconstructing the Past seeks to clarify and help resolve the vexing methodological issues that arise when biologists try to answer such questions as whether human beings are more closely related to chimps than they are to gorillas. It explores the case for considering the philosophical idea of simplicity/parsimony as a useful principle for evaluating taxonomic theories of evolutionary relationships. For the past two decades, evolutionists have been vigorously debating the appropriate methods that should be used in systematics, the field that aims at reconstructing phylogenetic relationships among species. This debate over phylogenetic inference, Elliott Sober observes, raises broader questions of hypothesis testing and theory evaluation that run head on into long standing issues concerning simplicity/parsimony in the philosophy of science. Sober treats the problem of phylogenetic inference as a detailed case study in which the philosophical idea of simplicity/parsimony can be tested as a principle of theory evaluation. Bringing together philosophy and biology, as well as statistics, Sober builds a general framework for understanding the circumstances in which parsimony makes sense as a tool of phylogenetic inference. Along the way he provides a detailed critique of parsimony in the biological literature, exploring the strengths and limitations of both statistical and nonstatistical cladistic arguments.

Reconstructing the Past

Reconstructing the Past PDF Author: Elliott Sober
Publisher: MIT Press
ISBN: 9780262691444
Category : Psychology
Languages : en
Pages : 298

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Book Description
Reconstructing the Past seeks to clarify and help resolve the vexing methodological issues that arise when biologists try to answer such questions as whether human beings are more closely related to chimps than they are to gorillas. It explores the case for considering the philosophical idea of simplicity/parsimony as a useful principle for evaluating taxonomic theories of evolutionary relationships. For the past two decades, evolutionists have been vigorously debating the appropriate methods that should be used in systematics, the field that aims at reconstructing phylogenetic relationships among species. This debate over phylogenetic inference, Elliott Sober observes, raises broader questions of hypothesis testing and theory evaluation that run head on into long standing issues concerning simplicity/parsimony in the philosophy of science. Sober treats the problem of phylogenetic inference as a detailed case study in which the philosophical idea of simplicity/parsimony can be tested as a principle of theory evaluation. Bringing together philosophy and biology, as well as statistics, Sober builds a general framework for understanding the circumstances in which parsimony makes sense as a tool of phylogenetic inference. Along the way he provides a detailed critique of parsimony in the biological literature, exploring the strengths and limitations of both statistical and nonstatistical cladistic arguments.

Criminal Investigation

Criminal Investigation PDF Author: James W. Osterburg
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1455731668
Category : Law
Languages : en
Pages : 720

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Book Description
The seventh edition of Criminal Investigation presents the fundamentals of criminal investigation and provides a sound method for reconstructing a past event (i.e., a crime) based on three major sources of information — people, records, and physical evidence. In addition to covering fundamental practices such as surveillance, interrogation, and eyewitness identification, this volume is updated with the latest techniques available. Students and beginning professionals in criminal justice will find new ways of obtaining information from people, including mining social media outlets; navigating the labyrinth of records and files available online; and fresh ways of gathering, identifying, and analyzing physical evidence. Special topics in terrorism, organized crime, and white-collar crime round out this complete guide to the discipline of criminal investigation practice. Expanded material on fraud, international crime, and the influence of technology on criminal investigation New full-color presentation, including dozens of photographs, graphics, tables, charts, and diagrams Key terms and discussion questions stress important concepts in each chapter

Writing African History

Writing African History PDF Author: John Edward Philips
Publisher: University Rochester Press
ISBN: 9781580462563
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 556

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Book Description
A comprehensive evaluation of how to read African history. Writing African History is an essential work for anyone who wants to write, or even seriously read, African history. It will replace Daniel McCall's classic Africa in Time Perspective as the introduction to African history for the next generation and as a reference for professional historians, interested readers, and anyone who wants to understand how African history is written. Africa in Time Perspective was written in the 1960s, when African history was a new field of research. This new book reflects the development of African history since then. It opens with a comprehensive introduction by Daniel McCall, followed by a chapter by the editor explainingwhat African history is [and is not] in the context of historical theory and the development of historical narrative, the humanities, and social sciences. The first half of the book focuses on sources of historical data while thesecond half examines different perspectives on history. The editor's final chapter explains how to combine various sorts of evidence into a coherent account of African history. Writing African History will become the most important guide to African history for the 21st century. Contributors: Bala Achi, Isaac Olawale Albert, Diedre L. Badéjo, Dorothea Bedigian, Barbara M. Cooper, Henry John Drewal, Christopher Ehret, Toyin Falola, David Henige, Joseph E. Holloway, John Hunwick, S. O. Y. Keita, William G. Martin, Daniel McCall, Susan Keech McIntosh, Donatien Dibwe Dia Mwembu, Kathleen Sheldon, John Thornton, and Masao Yoshida. John Edwards Philips is professor of international society, Hirosaki University, and author of Spurious Arabic: Hausa and Colonial Nigeria [Madison, University of Wisconsin African Studies Center, 2000].

Shattered Past

Shattered Past PDF Author: Konrad H. Jarausch
Publisher: Princeton University Press
ISBN: 140082527X
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 395

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Book Description
Broken glass, twisted beams, piles of debris--these are the early memories of the children who grew up amidst the ruins of the Third Reich. More than five decades later, German youth inhabit manicured suburbs and stroll along prosperous pedestrian malls. Shattered Past is a bold reconsideration of the perplexing pattern of Germany's twentieth-century history. Konrad Jarausch and Michael Geyer explore the staggering gap between the country's role in the terrors of war and its subsequent success as a democracy. They argue that the collapse of Communism, national reunification, and the postmodern shift call for a new reading of the country's turbulent development, one that no longer suggests continuity but rupture and conflict. Comprising original essays, the book begins by reexamining the nationalist, socialist, and liberal master narratives that have dominated the presentation of German history but are now losing their hold. Treated next are major issues of recent debate that suggest how new kinds of German history might be written: annihilationist warfare, complicity with dictatorship, the taming of power, the impact of migration, the struggle over national identity, redefinitions of womanhood, and the development of consumption as well as popular culture. The concluding chapters reflect on the country's gradual transition from chaos to civility. This penetrating study will spark a fresh debate about the meaning of the German past during the last century. There is no single master narrative, no Weltgeist, to be discovered. But there is a fascinating story to be told in many different ways.

Reconstructing the Past

Reconstructing the Past PDF Author: Alan Sorrell
Publisher: B. T. Batsford Limited
ISBN:
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 180

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Book Description


Ancient Egypt

Ancient Egypt PDF Author: Pamela Bradley
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 9780521776561
Category : Juvenile Nonfiction
Languages : en
Pages : 717

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Book Description
For senior secondary students studying Ancient History. Particularly suitable for the new NSW HSC Ancient History syllabus, with extensive coverage of the personalities listed for the new Core Study. Text divided into four parts which cover the political, social, economic and religious developments and changes that occurred from the early Dynastic Period to the death of Ramessess II. Special focus on: The achievement of particular pharaohs, including: Hatshepsut, Akkhenaten, Ramessess II; The impact of other significant individuals and groups; social life, funerary beliefs and practices during the Old, Middle and New Kingdoms. Provides a vast range of primary and secondary source material, without loosing sight of the historical narrative.

Fake Heritage

Fake Heritage PDF Author: John Darlington
Publisher: Yale University Press
ISBN: 0300246765
Category : Architecture
Languages : en
Pages : 250

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Book Description
The first survey of the many redesigned and imitation historical landmarks and objects that dot the globe "John Darlington shows . . . it is not just written history that is malleable; it is also history on the ground, heritage in brick and stone, wood and metal."--Simon Jenkins, Times Literary Supplement What happens when the past--or, more specifically, a piece of cultural heritage--is fabricated? From 50 replica Eiffel Towers located around the world to Saddam Hussein's reconstructions of ancient cities, examples of forged heritage are widespread. Some are easy to dismiss as blatant frauds (the Piltdown Man), while others adhere to honest copying or respectful homage (the Parthenon in Nashville, Tennessee). This compelling book examines copies of historic buildings, faux archaeological sites, and other false artifacts, using them to explore the ethics and consequences of reconstructing the past; it also tackles the issues involved with faithful, "above-board" re-creations of ancient landmarks. John Darlington probes questions of historical authenticity, seeking the lessons that lurk when history is twisted to tell an untrue story. Amplified by stunning images, the narrative underscores how the issue of duplicating heritage is both intriguing and incredibly complex, especially in the twenty-first century--as communication and technology flourish, so too do our opportunities to be deceived.

Reconstructing Earth

Reconstructing Earth PDF Author: Braden Allenby
Publisher: Island Press
ISBN: 1597266205
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 220

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Book Description
The Earth's biological, chemical, and physical systems are increasingly shaped by the activities of one species-ours. In our decisions about everything from manufacturing technologies to restaurant menus, the health of the planet has become a product of human choice. Environmentalism, however, has largely failed to adapt to this new reality. Reconstructing Earth offers seven essays that explore ways of developing a new, more sophisticated approach to the environment that replaces the fantasy of recovering pristine landscapes with a more grounded viewpoint that can foster a better relationship between humans and the planet. Braden Allenby, a lawyer with degrees in both engineering and environmental studies, explains the importance of technological choice, and how that factor is far more significant in shaping our environment (in ways both desirable and not) than environmental controls. Drawing on his varied background and experience in both academia and the corporate world, he describes the emerging field of "earth systems engineering and management," which offers an integrated approach to understanding and managing complex human/natural systems that can serve as a basis for crafting better, more lasting solutions to widespread environmental problems. Reconstructing Earth not only critiques dysfunctional elements of current environmentalism but establishes a foundation for future environmental management and progress, one built on an understanding of technological evolution and the cultural systems that support modern technologies. Taken together, the essays offer an important means of developing an environmentalism that is robust and realistic enough to address the urgent realities of our planet. Reconstructing Earth is a thought-provoking new work for anyone concerned with the past or future of environmental thought, including students and teachers of environmental studies, environmental policy, technology policy, technological evolution, or sustainability.

Reconstructing Past Population Trends in Mediterranean Europe (3000 BC - AD 1800)

Reconstructing Past Population Trends in Mediterranean Europe (3000 BC - AD 1800) PDF Author: John Bintliff
Publisher: Oxbow Books
ISBN: 1785704710
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 704

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Book Description
Archaeology of Populus Monograph in Archaeology of Mediterranean Landscapes Series. Population trends and demographics in general are discussed through a variety of case studies based in Mediterranean Europe. The range of archaeological techniques and methods of analysis includes regional field surveys, artifact scatter analysis, palaeoanthropology, historical and documentary sources, and studies of cemeteries.

EJISE Volume 15 Issue 1

EJISE Volume 15 Issue 1 PDF Author:
Publisher: Academic Conferences Limited
ISBN: 0015666379
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 152

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Book Description