Species: A History of the Idea (Species and Systematics) [Hardcover]

John S. Wilkins (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0520260856 | ISBN-13: 978-0520260856 | Publication Date: September 8, 2009 | Edition: 1

The complex idea of "species" has evolved over time, yet its meaning is far from resolved. This comprehensive work takes a fresh look at an idea central to the field of biology by tracing its history from antiquity to today. John S. Wilkins explores the essentialist view, a staple of logic from Plato and Aristotle through the Middle Ages to fairly recent times, and considers the idea of species in natural history--a concept often connected to reproduction. Tracing "generative conceptions" of species back through Darwin to Epicurus, Wilkins provides a new perspective on the relationship between philosophical and biological approaches to this concept. He also reviews the array of current definitions. Species is a benchmark exploration and clarification of a concept fundamental to the past, present, and future of the natural sciences.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Provides an encyclopedic history of the idea of species from Plato to the present."--Darwinian Conservatism Blog

"Provides a thorough background in this important topic. [It is] appropriate for an upper-level taxonomy, evolution, or systematics course. It would also be a valuable resource for anyone doing research on these topics."--Nsta Recommends

"Provides a comprehensive and interesting synthesis of the species problem today in the context of changing ideologies through history."--Jrnl of Human Evolution Blog

"The most comprehensive work of its kind. It will appeal to students in a diverse set of disciplines. . . . Highly recommended."--Choice

"[A] congenial book."--Oxford Journal

From the Inside Flap

"Few topics have engaged biologists and philosophers more than the concept of species, and arguably no idea is more important for evolutionary science. John S. Wilkins' book combines meticulous historical and philosophical analysis and thus provides new insights on the development of this most enduring of subjects."--Joel Cracraft, American Museum of Natural History

"This is not the potted history that one usually finds in texts and review articles. It is a fresh look at the history of a field central to biology, but one whose centrality has changed in scope over the centuries. Wilkins' book will be a standard source for all kinds of people working in systematics. There is not another book on the subject, amazingly enough, and his perspective is so comprehensive and well-taught that it will replace any standard review articles and older histories."--Kevin Padian, University of California, Berkeley

"An essential sourcebook for anyone interested in the species problem and the history of 'species.' Wilkins does a wonderful job detangling the various uses of 'species.' His book brings clarity to a topic marked by confusion and ambiguity."--Marc Ereshefsky, author of The Poverty of Linnaean Hierarchy: A Philosophical Study of Biological Taxonomy

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: University of California Press; 1 edition (September 8, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0520260856
• ISBN-13: 978-0520260856
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,007,423 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exploring the Essence, March 9, 2010

By 

Richard W. Nelson "Richard William Nelson" (California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Species: A History of the Idea (Species and Systematics) (Hardcover)

If you are looking for a fast and easy reading book that concludes with a contemporary definition of the term "species," Species a History of the Idea is not the book for you.

If you are looking for a detailed history of all the major and minor players with their contributions in the search for essence of the term "species," Species a History of the Idea is definitely the book for you.

The following quote from the Preface is illustrative of the overall style of the book:

"In summary, then, we have three claims that this book is intended to demonstrate: the logical and natural species are distinct ideas that largely share only a term; there was a single species `concept' from antiquity to the arrival of genetics, the generative conception; and types are neither the same as essences nor something that changes much with Darwin."

While the reading is difficult, the material is an indispensible resource in the forensic search for the historical essence of the term "species."

Richard William Nelson

Darwin, Then and Now: The Most Amazing Story in the History of Science

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A thorough history of the species concept, June 17, 2010

By 

Marc Andre Lachance (London, Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Species: A History of the Idea (Species and Systematics) (Hardcover)

Wilkins takes us through a time journey from the age of the early Greek philosophers to the current era of evolutionary biology, dissecting the idea of species (and genus). This book is a must-read for those who aspire to competence in biological systematics. We are reminded of the pervasive notion of the Scala Naturae and its impact on Linnean, Lamarckian, and even contemporary thinking. This is contrasted with the unique insights of Darwin, who, according to the author, created the modern species concept while at the same time giving the impression of denying the existence of species as a special taxonomic category. The views of Dobzhansky, Mayr, and Hennig are examined in a new light. My only reason for not giving 5 stars is the occasional bad sentence. The book would have greatly benefited from a close reading by a style editor.