Evolutionary Naturalism: Selected Essays

Evolutionary Naturalismis a collection of interconnected essays on the history and philosopy of evolutionary biology written by the influential Canadian philosopher, Michael Ruse. In this book, he argues that the time has arrived to take philosophy out of the hands of the academic theorists and to fully embrace the findings and consequences of the modern sciences. These clearly written essays cover a broad range of key topics in the philosophy of science. Michael Ruse discusses several issues in the history of science including Darwinism, population biology, and the paleo-ontological theory of 'punctuated equilibria'. In addition, he expounds an epistemological theory which argues that our knowledge of the external world is informed by the fact that we ar evolved beings, rather than objects of special creation. Ruse maintains that our evolved state must affect our knowledge and perception of the world in which we live.Evolutionary Naturalismalso containsa fierce critique of ethical systems which are rendered as no more than biologically determined collective illusions. InEvolutionaryMaterialismMichael Ruse forges a path between the crude objectivity espoused by many working scientists and the relativism of post-modern critiques of science. Written in a clear and non-technical style, this book provides valuable material for all those interested in the relationship between science and philosophy in the modern world.