Bücher von Alessandro Minelli

Recent and ongoing debates in biology and the philosophy of biology reveal a widespread dissatisfaction with traditional explanatory frameworks. There are also problems with the current definitions or circumscriptions of key concepts such as gene, species, and homology, and even of whole disciplinary fields within the life sciences, e.g. developmental biology. These contrasting views are arguably a symptom of the need to revisit traditional, unchallenged partitions between the specialist disciplines within the life sciences. In the diversity of topics addressed and approaches to move beyond the current disciplinary organization, the five essays in this volume will hopefully stimulate further exploration towards an improved articulation of life sciences.

To some potential readers of this book the description of Biological System atics as an art may seem outdated and frankly wrong. Specialists are imbibed with their own groups and tend to establish a consensus of what constitutes a species or a genus, or whether it should be desirable to recognize sub species, cultivars etc.

Provides a critical overview of the state of the art in biological systematics and presents a broad perspective of the subject, covering its history, theory and practice. Emphasis is placed on the species concept and the methodology of phylogenetic reconstruction.