Review by Choice Review
Financial forces within higher education, in combination with unenlightened management, have led to the demise of one of the most important subject areas at comprehensive universities: philosophy. This book argues for the benefit, even necessity, of bringing philosophy back into the classroom and providing opportunity to discuss the underlying logic of how science understands its subject matter and conducts its business. High esteem for this work may be inferred from its publication history: see "Preface to the English Translation" (p. vii). The authors address fundamental concepts in evolution and biodiversity--asking the question "What is a species?"--to shed light on the role of individuals vs. organisms in biological systems and the role of sex in biological organisms. This reader finds the discussion related to the biotechnological revolution to be apropos as well. For undergraduate or graduate courses, the book can be used to draw students into the interface between philosophy and biology. Individual chapters can provide material for short classroom discussions in a variety of subdisciplinary courses. A major concern of higher education is getting students to think critically about a subject. This book provides the philosophical grist to challenge students of biology to do just that. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Lower-division undergraduates through faculty and professionals. --Michael S. Zavada, University of Texas Permian Basin
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
