| Description |
1 online resource : illustrations |
| Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references. |
| Summary |
In science, concepts such as organism, evolution and life, are used almost every day. Every scientist knows the general meaning of such concepts. At the same time, nature is complex, and for this reason, it is difficult to draw stringent lines around classes of things. Scientists therefore accept the use of so called 'working definitions' for many concepts. It is frequently advocated that working on definitions has little use for practical research. This book explores a different viewpoint, in which definitions are compared with tools. If your toolbox contains too few tools, tools that are worn down, or tools that don't fit, it becomes difficult to carry out even the most easy maintenance or repair job. Experts know: suitable tools make the work easier. The aim of this book is to examine much-used concepts in science as if these are tools in a scientific toolbox. Do the current definitions represent quality tools? To explore this question, this book uses a recently developed hierarchy theory, the operator theory, as a reference. This theory is explained in the first chapter. Whenever the analyses suggest to do so, the ScienceBites offer directions for improvement of current definitions. |
| Contents |
Intro; Table of contents; Preface; Acknowledgements; 1. A remake of the scala naturae; 2. Selfish genes, powerful organisms; 3. Synthetic biologists construct life; 4. Strong versus operational definitions of life; 5. Is 'the origin' about species?; 6. Evolution: process or pattern?; 7. Natura facit saltus; 8. Great chain of being; 9. A new view on evolutionary transitions; 10. Phenotype and genotype of Big History; 11. The species delusion; 12. The construction of time; 13. One ring to rule them all; 14. The comprehensiveness of scientific models; 15. A swan song for the last black swan |
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16. Internal criteria for doing science17. Extending and generalizing evolution; 18. Organism versus holobiont; 19. Organisms versus superorganisms; 20. Self-organization and the principle of least action; 21. Limits to scientific knowledge; 22. General reflections |
| Local Note |
eBooks on EBSCOhost EBSCO eBook Subscription Academic Collection - North America |
| Subject |
Science -- Terminology.
|
|
Terms and phrases -- Science.
|
|
Concepts -- Science.
|
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SCIENCE -- Philosophy & Social Aspects. |
|
Science |
| Genre/Form |
Terminology
|
| Cover Title |
Science Bites |
| ISBN |
9789086868872 (electronic bk.) |
|
9086868878 (electronic bk.) |
| Standard No. |
10.3920/978-90-8686-887-2 |
|
