Category Archives: Species concept
More on phenomena
Semifinalist for the 3 Quarks Daily Philosophy Prize 2011 In my last post, I asked whether there was a foundation for my view that species are extra-theoretical phenomena. I have done some further reading, especially Michela Massimi’s book Kant and … Continue reading
Filed under Philosophy, Science, Species and systematics, Species concept, Systematics
Evolution quote: Sirks and Zirkle
At this point it might be well to insert a fact that has generally been overlooked by the historians of biology. The pre-evolutionary concept of species is generally given as a universally accepted view that species were constant and true … Continue reading
Filed under Biology, Evolution, History, Philosophy, Quotes, Species and systematics, Species concept
Somehow, I got minions/The first biological species concept revisited
It’s late in Real Time so I can only do a brief one now… I made the mistake of noting on Twitter that I lacked minions after PZ accused me of hating his. Of course I don’t hate them. It’s … Continue reading
Filed under History, Humor, Species concept
Intelligent designoids are unsure about me
Normally I wouldn’t link to these guys, but I’m having a kind of odd week with the ID crowd. On the one hand the ever reliable Casey Luskin has declared I am condescending for suggesting we teach science free of … Continue reading
Filed under Creationism and Intelligent Design, Evolution, History, Species concept
The false analogy between species and art
Biological topics are used widely in philosophy to illustrate arcane and recondite philosophical topics,and one of the most widely used, and most abused, are species as examples of natural kinds. Kangaroos, swans, tigers, lions, cats, and of course humans are … Continue reading
Filed under Biology, Epistemology, Evolution, Natural Classification, Philosophy, Species concept
My talk online
The Australian Broadcasting Commission, or ABC, radio show on science, Ockham’s Razor (named after some philosophy guy), has finally played my talk on species concept history and the death of essentialist stories. You can go listen to it here. The … Continue reading
Filed under Administrative, History, Species concept
Update on a pilgrim’s progress
Okay, well it’s more like the John Wayne sense of “pilgrim” than John Bunyan, but here I am, having gotten out of Dodge Brisbane just as the latest natural disaster hit. “Here” being the Blue Mountains outside of Sydney. Once … Continue reading
“Species” an ALA Choice Book
I take what plaudits I can: Choice, from The American Library Association, has listed my book Species: A History of the Idea as an “Outstanding Academic Title” for 2010, a list they release each each January. Their criteria are: overall … Continue reading
Filed under Book, History, Species concept
A paperback of Species: A History
My not-inconsiderable ego has expanded several sizes upon the news from University of California Press that my book Species: A History of the Idea (see at right or on the My Books page) is to become a paperback. I hope … Continue reading
Filed under Administrative, Book, History, Species and systematics, Species concept
How many species of plant are there?
It should be a simple question. After all, we have been describing, naming, and studying species of plants for 500 years, and the whole system of nomenclature and classification was developed in order to list plants. Estimate range widely, from … Continue reading
