The Species Problem

A Conceptual History

Igor Ya. Pavlinov

• Publisher: CRC Press
• Year: 2023
• Print ISBN: 9781032386812
• eBook ISBN: 9781000833201
• Topic: Biological Sciences
• Subtopic: Biology
• Index: Biological Sciences

The general notion of species is one of the most fundamental in biology. But an idea of species is also one of the most persistent unresolved obsessions of biologists, philosophers and theoreticians. This new book investigates the multifaceted problem species as a "conceptual envelope" of that notion. Contemporary conceptualists and evolutionary epistemology allow for a fresh look by analyzing the framework of history viewed as changes ordered by changing philosophical-scientific contexts. In this analysis, the species problem is characterized in a pluralistic non-trivial manner, in contrast to a more monistic "accepted view."

Key Features

• Provides new insights into the persistent species "problem."
• Focuses on conceptual history and identifies pivotal landmarks in the history of the concept of species.
• Argues for a scientific consistency of species pluralism.
• Discusses the "evolving species-hood" in the context of new essentialism.

Related Titles
• Wilkins, J. S, et al., eds. Species Problems and Beyond: Contemporary Issues in Philosophy and Practice (ISBN 978-1-0322-2147-2)
• Mishler, B. D. What, if anything, are species? (ISBN 978-1-4987-1454-9)
• Wilkins, J. S. Species: The Evolution of the Idea, Second Edition (ISBN 978-1-1380-5574-2)
• Sigwart, J. D. What Species Mean: A User's Guide to the Units of Biodiversity (ISBN 978-1-4987-9937-9)

Table of contents

• Cover Page
• Half-Title Page
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Dedication Page
• Contents
• Preface
• About the Author
• Introduction
• Chapter 1 The Species Problem: In Broad Strokes on a Conceptual Historical Canvas
• Chapter 2 Antique Natural Philosophy: Species as Eidos
• Chapter 3 The Middle Ages: Species as Universalia
• Chapter 4 The Renaissance and the Early Modern Times: Species as Classification Unit
• Chapter 5 The Modern Times: Species as Biological Unit
• Chapter 6 The Contemporary: The Newest Issues
• References
• Index