2002 Fall PHIL 114-01
Bulletin Course Description An introduction to conceptual and methodological issues raised in contemporary biology, including teleology, reductions, the units of selection, and the structure of evolutionary theory. Instructor: Brandon or Rosenberg
(Instructor named in bulletin description above may not be current. For current instructor, see listing below.)
Title PHILOSOPHY OF BIOLOGY Department PHIL Course Number 2002 Fall 114 Section Number 01 Primary Instructor Rosenberg,Alexander Primary Instructor McShea,Daniel Prerequisites Prerequisites: Biology 25.
Prerequisites
biology 25. A prior class in philosophy is not necessary but is an asset.
Synopsis of course content
From Darwin to the Human Genome Project, biology has had a profound effect on science, technology and society. We will begin with a survey of the philosophical issues involved in biology in general (status of biology as an autonomous discipline vis-a-vis physics) and with Evolutionary Theory in particular (levels of selection, the nature of evolutionary explanations, etc. andthen shift to the broadest general and theoretical issues that currently face biology as a discipline.
Additional Information
Please contact the instructor, Frederic Bouchard, for any questions: fb3@duke.edu, or 660-3098 or 660-3050. Also see http://www.philo.ipfox.com.
