Embryology, Epigenesis and Evolution Taking Development Seriously

Philosophers of science have tended to avoid the problem of "development" by focusing primarily on evolutionary biology and, more recently, on molecular biology and genetics. Jason Scott Robert explores the nature of development as it relates to current concepts in biological theory and practice and analyzes the interrelations between development and evolution (evo-devo), an area of resurgent biological inquiry.

Historically, philosophers of biology have tended to sidestep the problem of development by focusing primarily on evolutionary biology and, more recently, on molecular biology and genetics. Quite often too, development has been misunderstood as simply, or even primarily, a matter of gene activation and regulation. Nowadays a growing number of philosophers of science are focusing their analyses on the complexities of development, and in Embryology, Epigenesis and Evolution Jason Scott Robert explores the nature of development against current trends in biological theory and practice and looks at the interrelations between development and evolution (evo-devo), an area of resurgent biological interest. Clearly written, this book should be of interest to students and professionals in the philosophy of science and the philosophy of biology.

List of figures; Preface; 1. The problem of development; 2. Exemplars; 3. Scylla and Charybdis; 4. Constitutive epigenetics; 5. Creative development; 6. A new synthesis?; 7. The devil is in the Gestalt; Endnotes; Bibliography; Index.

This book explores the nature of development against current trends in biological theory and practice and looks at the interrelations between development and evolution, an area of resurgent biological interest. Clearly written, it should be of interest to students and professionals in the philosophy of science and the philosophy of biology.