Essence in the Age of Evolution - A New Theory of Natural Kinds

This book offers a defence of a highly contested philosophical position: biological natural kind essentialism. Austin challenges common objections to this theory, and in conjunction with contemporary scientific advancements within the field of evolutionary-developmental biology, he utilises a contemporary neo-Aristotelian metaphysics o

List of contents

Introduction

1. Biological Natural Kind Essentialism: Definitions & Desiderata

2. Essence and Explanation: Natural Kinds in the Taxonomic Tree

3. Powerfully Directed Development: A Dispositional Analysis of Ontogenesis

4. Ontogenetic Causal Primacy: The Fount and Flow of Information

5. The Essence of Natural Kinds: Unity in Diversity

6. An Evolutionary Ontology: Priority, Modality, and The Natural State

Conclusion

About the author

Christopher J. Austin is Head of Philosophy at Sutton Grammar School, London, and specialises in the metaphysics of science, with a particular focus on biology. Recent publications include ‘Dispositions in Evolutionary Developmental Biology’ in Evolutionary Developmental Biology: A Reference Guide, and ‘A Biologically Informed Hylomorphism’ in Neo-Aristotelian Perspectives on Contemporary Science.

Summary

This book offers a defence of a highly contested philosophical position: biological natural kind essentialism. Austin challenges common objections to this theory, and in conjunction with contemporary scientific advancements within the field of evolutionary-developmental biology, he utilises a contemporary neo-Aristotelian metaphysics o

Product details

• Authors: Christopher J. Austin
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd.
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 30.06.2021
• EAN: 9781032094755
• ISBN: 978-1-0-3209475-5
• No. of pages: 152
• Series: Routledge Studies in the Philosophy of Science
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Philosophy > General, dictionaries; Natural sciences, medicine, IT, technology > Natural sciences (general); Non-fiction book > Nature, technology > Nature: general, reference works; PHILOSOPHY / General, PHILOSOPHY / Metaphysics, SCIENCE / Philosophy & Social Aspects, Philosophy of Science, Philosophy: metaphysics & ontology, Philosophy: metaphysics and ontology, Ancient Greek and Roman philosophy, Western philosophy: Ancient, to c 500