List of Figures viii List of Tables x Notes on Contributors xi Acknowledgments xvii Introduction xviiiSahotra Sarkar and Anya Plutynski Part I Molecular Biology and Genetics 1 1 Gene Concepts 3Hans-Jörg Rheinberger and Staffan Müller-Wille 2 Biological Information 22Stefan Artmann 3 Heredity and Heritability 40Richard C. Lewontin 4 Genomics, Proteomics, and Beyond 58Sahotra Sarkar Part II Evolution 75 5 Darwinism and Neo-Darwinism 77James G. Lennox 6 Systematics and Taxonomy 99Marc Ereshefsky 7 Population Genetics 119Christopher Stephens 8 The Units and Levels of Selection 138Samir Okasha 9 Molecular Evolution 157Michael R. Dietrich 10 Speciation and Macroevolution 169Anya Plutynski 11 Adaptationism 186Peter Godfrey-Smith and Jon F. Wilkins Part III Developmental Biology 203 12 Phenotypic Plasticity and Reaction Norms 205Jonathan M. Kaplan 13 Explaining the Ontogeny of Form: Philosophical Issues 223Alan C. Love 14 Development and Evolution 248Ron Amundson Part IV Medicine 269 15 Self and Nonself 271Moira Howes 16 Health and Disease 287Dominic Murphy Part V Ecology 299 17 Population Ecology 301Mark Colyvan 18 Complexity, Diversity, and Stability 321James Justus 19 Ecosystems 351Kent A. Peacock 20 Biodiversity: Its Meaning and Value 368Bryan G. Norton Part VI Mind and Behavior 391 21 Ethology, Sociobiology, and Evolutionary Psychology 393Paul E. Griffiths 22 Cooperation 415J. McKenzie Alexander 23 Language and Evolution 431Derek Bickerton Part VII Experimentation, Theory, and Themes 453 24 What is Life? 455Mark A. Bedau 25 Experimentation 472Marcel Weber 26 Laws and Theories 489Marc Lange 27 Models 506Jay Odenbaugh 28 Function and Teleology 525Justin Garson 29 Reductionism in Biology 550Alexander Rosenberg Index 568

“Sarkar is to be congratulated for assembling this talented team of philosophers, who are themselves to be congratulated for writing these interesting essays on so many fascinating areas in philosophy of biology. This book will be a wonderful resource for future work.” Elliot Sober, University of Wisconsin-Madison “Many of the discussions here start with a definition of terms and a historical context of the subject before delving into the deeper philosophical issues, making it a useful reference for students of biology as well as philosophy.” Northeastern Naturalist “The topics that are addressed are done so well. This book will appeal to the advanced student and knowledgeable amateur and may prove useful catalyst for discussion among research teams or those engaged in cross-disciplinary studies.” Reference Reviews A Companion to the Philosophy of Biology offers concise overviews of philosophical issues raised by all areas of biology. Addressing both traditional and emerging areas of philosophical interest, the volume focuses on the philosophical implications of evolutionary theory as well as key topics such as molecular biology, immunology, and ecology Comprising essays by top scholars in the field, this volume is an authoritative guide for professional philosophers, historians, sociologists and biologists, as well as an accessible reference work for students seeking to learn about this rapidly-changing field.

"This book is a companion to the philosophy of biology, and it not only should be of interest to scholars in philosophy of biology, but it also may be utilized by classroom educators teaching courses in philosophy of biology, theoretical biology, and evolutionary theory." (Science & Education, April 2010) "Many of the discussions here start with a definition of terms and a historical context of the subject before delving into the deeper philosophical issues, making it a useful reference for students of biology as well as philosophy." (Northeastern Naturalist, April 2008) "The topics that are addressed are done so well. This book will appeal to the advanced student and knowledgeable amateur and may prove useful catalyst for discussion among research teams or those engaged in cross-disciplinary studies." (Reference Reviews, February 2009) "Sarkar and Plutynski have compiled a series of essays about the philosophical implications of traditional and emergent biological studies. Among the areas discussed are genetics, immunology and evolutionary psychology." (Columbia College Today Alumni Magazine, February 2009) "A Companion to the Philosophy of Biology will be a very useful guide not only for philosophers but also for historians, sociologists and biologists. Its greatest asset is that it expands beyond the scope of recently published textbooks in philosophy of biology by including a detailed treatment of philosophical aspects of medicine, ecology, mind and behavior and that it places the themes in their historic context. The diversity of areas covered will appeal to students of general interest as well as specialists. Especially helpful is that most chapters end with an extended 'Reference' and often an additional 'Further reading' section that will allow readers to research the individual topics in greater depth." (Metapsychology Reviews Online) "The book is similar to, though different enough to distinguish itself from, its closest kin, The Oxford Handbook of the Philosophy of Biology, edited by Michael Ruse (2008), and The Cambridge Companion to the Philosophy of Biology, edited by David Hull and Michael Ruse. They do not offer essays on language, biodiversity, or models, which are included in the present volume. Recommended." (Choice, November 2008)

"Sarkar is to be congratulated for assembling this talented team of philosophers, who are themselves to be congratulated for writing these interesting essays on so many fascinating areas in philosophy of biology. This book will be a wonderful resource for future work."—Elliot Sober, University of Wisconsin-Madison