Interpreting the Hierarchy of Nature: From Systematic Patterns to Evolutionary Process Theories
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Overview
This book explores ways in which systematic patterns are used to infer evolutionary processes. Among evolutionary biologists and systematists there is a constant interchange between those that study the process of evolution (e.g., mutation, selection, speciation) and those that study its patterns (e.g., variation, geographic distribution, ontogeny, phylogeny). Because patterns influence the development of theories, and processes yield patterns, it is not always easy to distinguish one from another. This book is dialectic and helps crystallize a continuing debate over the relationship of patterns to process theories.Key Features
* Contributions by leading systematists, evolutionary biologists, and philosophers
* Illustrates the debate over how and if evolutionary processes can be inferred from systematic patterns
* Illustrates a continuing interplay between systematics and evolutionary theory
This book explores ways in which systematic patterns are used to infer evolutionary processes. Among evolutionary biologists and systematists there is a constant interchange between those that study the process of evolution (e.g., mutation, selection, speciation) and those that study its patterns (e.g., variation, geographic distribution, ontogeny, phylogeny). Because patterns influence the development of theories, and processes yield patterns, it is not always easy to distinguish one from another. This book is dialectic and helps crystallize a continuing debate over the relationship of patterns to process theories.
Synopsis
This book explores ways in which systematic patterns are used to infer evolutionary processes. Among evolutionary biologists and systematists there is a constant interchange between those that study the process of evolution (e.g., mutation, selection, speciation) and those that study its patterns (e.g., variation, geographic distribution, ontogeny, phylogeny). Because patterns influence the development of theories, and processes yield patterns, it is not always easy to distinguish one from another. This book is dialectic and helps crystallize a continuing debate over the relationship of patterns to process theories.
Special Features
• Contributions by leading systematists, evolutionary biologists, and philosophers
• Illustrates the debate over how and if evolutionary processes can be inferred from systematic patterns
• Illustrates a continuing interplay between systematics and evolutionary theory
Booknews
Eight of the nine presentations comprise a dialogue between scientists who study the processes of evolution (mutation, selection, speciation) and those who study its patterns (variation, geographic distribution, ontogeny, phylogeny). They were invited lectures at a 1992 conference in Chicago. At issue is the extent to which the patterns influence the theories of process and the processes create patterns. The first and last chapters moderate. Includes a glossary without pronunciation. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)