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Book Cover for: What Makes Biology Unique?, Ernst Mayr

What Makes Biology Unique?

Ernst Mayr

This collection of revised and new essays argues that biology is an autonomous science rather than a branch of the physical sciences. Ernst Mayr, widely considered the most eminent evolutionary biologist of the 20th century, offers insights on the history of evolutionary thought, critiques the conditions of philosophy to the science of biology, and comments on several of the major developments in evolutionary theory. Notably, Mayr explains that Darwin's theory of evolution is actually five separate theories, each with its own history, trajectory and impact. Ernst Mayr, commonly referred to as the "Darwin of the 20th century" and listed as one of the top 100 scientists of all-time, is Professor Emeritus at Harvard University. What Makes Biology Unique is the 25th book he has written during his long and prolific career. His recent books include This is Biology: The Science of the Living World (Belknap Press, 1997) and What Evolution Is (Basic Books, 2002).

Book Details

  • Publisher: Cambridge University Press
  • Publish Date: Apr 16th, 2007
  • Pages: 248
  • Language: English
  • Edition: undefined - undefined
  • Dimensions: 8.99in - 6.06in - 0.60in - 0.75lb
  • EAN: 9780521700344
  • Categories: Life Sciences - BiologyEssaysLife Sciences - Evolution

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About the Author

Mayr, Ernst: - Ernst Mayr (1904-2005) was Professor Emeritus and former Director of the Museum of Comparative Zoology at Harvard University. For his contributions as an evolutionary biologist, taxonomist, ornithologist, as well as historian and philosopher of biology, Mayr was hailed as 'the Darwin of the 20th century'.

More books by Ernst Mayr

Book Cover for: The Growth of Biological Thought: Diversity, Evolution, and Inheritance, Ernst Mayr
Book Cover for: What Evolution Is, Ernst Mayr
Book Cover for: One Long Argument: Charles Darwin and the Genesis of Modern Evolutionary Thought, Ernst Mayr
Book Cover for: Toward a New Philosophy of Biology: Observations of an Evolutionist, Ernst Mayr
Book Cover for: Evolution and the Diversity of Life: Selected Essays, Ernst Mayr
Book Cover for: Systematics and the Origin of Species from the Viewpoint of a Zoologist: With a New Introduction by the Author, Ernst Mayr
Book Cover for: This Is Biology: The Science of the Living World, Ernst Mayr
Book Cover for: Birds Of The Southwest Pacific: A Field Guide To The Birds Of The Area Between Samoa, New Caledonia, And Micronesia, Ernst Mayr
Book Cover for: Populations, Species, and Evolution: An Abridgment of Animal Species and Evolution, Ernst Mayr
Book Cover for: Birds of the Southwest Pacific: A Field Guide to the Birds of the Area Between Samoa, New Caledonia, and Micronesia, Ernst Mayr
Book Cover for: Check-List Of Birds Of The World; A Continuation Of The Work Of James L. Peters (Volume Xv), Ernst Mayr

Praise for this book

"His mind is still remarkably sharp." Science
"In this first book of the second century of his long career, the biologist Ernst Mayr at age 100 has given us his reflections on the most interesting and important questions about life: why living things can't be understood just as very complex machines, how humans evolved, why we haven't yet communicated with any extraterrestrials, and others. Written with a clarity and vigor that shine from every page, this book is best summarized in one word: exciting!" Jared Diamond, Professor of Geography, UCLA, author of Guns, Germs and Steel (Pultizer Prize, 1998).
"Ernst Mayr has long had a deep and well-informed interest in the philosophy of biology in relation to broad questions in the philosophy of science. This is an invaluable, thought-provoking, and engaging summary of his ideas, a crowning achievement!" Mary Jane West-Eberhard, Senior Scientist, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, author of Developmental Plasticity and Evolution (Hawkins Award, 2003).
" What Makes Biology Unique? offers newcomers an entertaining way to expand their horizons. We are lucky that someone who has experienced so much remains forever young in his thinking." American Scientist, Volume 93, David Sloan Wilson, Biology and Anthropology, Binghamton University, Binghamton, New York