Michael Ruse lecture 10 Mar 2009 A talk Michael Ruse gave recently in Sydney for the celebrations of Darwin’s 200th birthday is now available as a podcast from the ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) here. Or here: History
Biology Illiger’s Prodromus 13 Nov 2009 Does anyone have a scan of Johann Karl Wilhelm Illiger’s Prodromus systematis et mammalium avium (1811), or at least the introductory section? It appears that Illiger is the one who introduced the rank of family to the Linnean system, and I’d like to find out more. Late note: Thanks to… Read More
Ecology and Biodiversity Taxonomy was the reason for Darwin’s theory 11 Mar 200918 Sep 2017 Taxonomy – the science of classifying organisms into putatively natural groups – is often treated as a kind of necessary bit of paperwork without much theoretical import by some biologists. Others think it is the single most important thing to do, usually justifying it in terms of conservation biology, but… Read More
Epistemology Definitions of atheism 24 Jun 200919 Apr 2013 I have religious friends, and atheist friends, and they both disagree with me on one point: my claim that I am not an atheist. My religious friends note that I lack a belief in God, and therefore I am not with them. My atheist friends note the same thing and… Read More