The Ontogeny of Information: Developmental Systems and Evolution [Hardcover]

Susan Oyama (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 28, 1986 | ISBN-10: 0521320984 | ISBN-13: 978-0521320986

In The Ontogeny of Information, Susan Oyama draws on psychology, biology, and anthropology, as well as philosophy and history, to explore the many facets of the nature-nurture debate. Our deepest beliefs about what is natural, inevitable and unchangeable, what is normal and good, are affected by our concept of biological nature. Because the non-academic world also continues to frame important questions in terms of genetic necessity and cultural overlay, this distinction between nature and culture has serious implications for the conduct of private lives and for the making of public policy.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“In the tale of the emperor’s new clothes, the small boy’s genius lay in his naive recognition of the great man’s nudity. Oyama has a similar, if more sophisticated genius: she recognizes the subtle manner in which molecular biologists have allowed metaphors to replace explanations. It is no exaggeration to claim that she has resolved the nature-nurture dispute and provided an altogether new vision of the processes of development and evolution.”—Peter Klopfer, Duke University

“The publication of this revised edition of The Ontogeny of Information is timely and welcome, especially given the current dominance of simplistic views about genetic causation, aided by constant misuse of the ideas of information, coding and programming. Oyama’s classic discussion of these concepts combines patient, subtle dissection with bold and novel moves. The Ontogeny of Information is a work of brilliant originality and enduring relevance.”—Peter Godfrey-Smith, Stanford University

“This is among the most important books on developmental theory published in the last several decades. It continues to be cited regularly in work from several different disciplines, including developmental biology, evolutionary biology, neuroscience, and psychology.”—Robert Lickliter, Virginia Polytechnic Institute

--This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

Book Description

In The Ontogeny of Information, Susan Oyama draws on psychology, biology, and anthropology, as well as philosophy and history, to explore the many facets of the nature-nurture debate.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 215 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (February 28, 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521320984
• ISBN-13: 978-0521320986
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,441,576 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book, March 29, 2002

By 

L. Wechsler "shveckle" (Brooklyn, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Ontogeny of Information: Developmental Systems and Evolution (Science and Cultural Theory) (Paperback)

Sorry that my review is so small. This is a great book about the dichotomy of genes and environment and how there is no real line dividing the 2. It speaks of some of the misconceptions that way of thinking produces. It also discusses some of the common metaphors that have been used in the past relating genes to "blue prints" and the such and how these metaphors should be gotton rid of. The ingredients that go into an oransism and inheritance are many which includes genes, atmosphere, culture, and many more that she discuses. All are important in the construction of an organism and none are more important then any other. She also discuses the silliness of the nature nurture debate. I think this book and way of thinking is very important for science, social sciences and just the everyday [mis]conceptions most people in the western world have of the dualism of genetics and environment.