First copy of the Species book! 7 Aug 2009 It arrived this afternoon. Looks great. This must mean they are about to start selling it, so go order! I’ll sign any copy that is presented to me, of course. Look at it: my dreams made real… Book Science
Biology Ranking 24 Aug 2010 A diversion in the natural classification series. In natural classification, we typically do not find that patterns due to the process of historical causation come arrayed neatly in boxes within boxes, and yet one of the most common temptations is for classifiers to set up fixed ranks. The Linnaean scheme… Read More
Philosophy Sokal on philosophers of science 5 Nov 2009 Julian Baggani has an interview up at The Philosophers’ Magazine with Alan Sokal, famous for the hoax that bears his name. In it Sokal says things about philosophy of science that he seems to think are dismissive, but which I would say are themselves philosophy of science claims that can… Read More
Epistemology Laws and explanation in history 14 Jun 2009 One of the critical pieces on the philosophy of history was published as Laws and Explanation in History in 1957. Now the hist-analytic site, run by Stephen Bayne, has added the entirety of the book online to its growing list of significant philosophical contributions to the philosophy of history. Links… Read More
This book I think will arrive for me at Robinson Bookshop soon. I will let you know when it arrives John.
John, I’d love to be able to get you to sign a copy. I’m in Adelaide; any chance you’re heading down this way? I notice that the link on the UC Press website is still to the old blog, too…
Not in the near future, but I’d love to go visit some friends there sometime soon. I told ’em about the blog change. *sigh*
Congratulations! This must be a very proud moment for you. All that hard work come to fruition. Just imagine generations of future biologists citing ‘Wilkins on species’ as a classic text in the field. Savour it for all it’s worth. You’ve earned it.
“Wilkins on species”? You make it sound like I have to buy two copies. One to be preserved (never opened), and one to be read.
“This is not the potted history that one usually finds in texts and review articles. It is a fresh look at the history of a field central to biology, but one whose centrality has changed in scope over the centuries. Wilkins’ book will be a standard source for all kinds of people working in systematics. There is not another book on the subject, amazingly enough, and his perspective is so comprehensive and well-taught that it will replace any standard review articles and older histories.”—Kevin Padian, University of California, Berkeley Awesome. You’ve carved out your very own literary niche all to yourself!
“Expected to ship August 11.” So when are you going to be in New York on the world-wide book tour? I expect to be invited to publisher’s party. Where’s it going to be … Le Cirque? … The Rainbow Room? … The Hard Rock Cafe?
Sure thing. Just send the tickets today, and I’ll get on the plane tomorrow. Include hotel costs as well…
Yahbbut I don’t like cold showers. I have seen the homeless in Central Park have them. I felt enormously sorry for the poor bastard, and it was 100°F at the time.
Just imagine generations of future biologists citing ‘Wilkins on species’ as a classic text in the field. “Wilkins on species”? You make it sound like I have to buy two copies. One to be preserved (never opened), and one to be read. Copies of real classics are dog-eared and well-thumbed with greasy and torn pages, broken spines and disintergrating covers from the constant use to which they are put over many, many years and even generations.
I’ll buy a copy if you come to Germany to sign it! Actually I’ll wait till it has officiall apeared before I order it as I have noticed that the price on Amazon Germany for academic books tends to fall about a month to six weeks after publication.
Oh good – I might be able to get a signed copy via a mutual friend. Are you sending out review copies?