In this work, George C. Williams--one of evolutionary biology's most distinguished scholars--examines the mechanisms and meaning of natural selection in evolution. Williams offers his own perspective on modern evolutionary theory, including discussions of the gene as the unit of selection, clade selection and macroevolution, diversity within and among populations, stasis, and other timely and provocative topics. In dealing with the levels-of-selection controversy, he urges a pervasive form of the replicator-vehicle distinction. Natural selection, he argues, takes place in the separate domains of information and matter. Levels-of-selection questions, consequently, require different theoretical devices depending on the domains being discussed. In addressing these topics, Williams presents a synthesis of his three decades of research and creative thought which have contributed greatly to evolutionary biology in this century.
In this work, George C. Williams--one of evolutionary biology's most distinguished scholars--examines the mechanisms and meaning of natural selection in evolution. Williams offers his own perspective on modern evolutionary theory, including discussions of the gene as the unit of selection, clade selection and macroevolution, diversity within and among populations, stasis, and other timely and provocative topics. In dealing with the levels-of-selection controversy, he urges a pervasive form of the replicator-vehicle distinction. Natural selection, he argues, takes place in the separate domains of information and matter. Levels-of-selection questions, consequently, require different theoretical devices depending on the domains being discussed. In addressing these topics, Williams presents a synthesis of his three decades of research and creative thought which have contributed greatly to evolutionary biology in this century.
1: A Philosophical Position
2: The Gene As a Unit of Selection
3: Clade Selection and Macroevolution
4: Levels of Selection among Interactors
5: Optimization and Kindred Concepts
6: Historicity and Constraint
7: Diversity within and between Clades
8: Some Recent Controversies
9: Stasis
10: Other Challenges and Anomalies
"In 1966, Williams published a book with the title Adaptation and
Natural Selection: A Critique of Some Current Evolutionary Thought
that became a classic. It is still widely read and widely
recommended to students. This new book could appropriately carry
the same title. Comparing the two measures a quarter-century of
progress in evolutionary thought . . . . The book constructively
critiques central evolutionary ideas. It should be published
with
the 1966 book in one volume. Together they make a devastating, and
exciting, read." --Science
"Ranges widely, and many kinds of specialist could sample it for
inspiration and fresh thinking. Only the future can reveal whether
it will have as much influence as his previous books, but it does
contain several ideas that are big enough to make it a possibility
. . . . A delightful book." --Nature
"Interesting discussions of specialized topics." --Choice
"Thoughtful, provocative and pleasantly idiosyncratic. . . .
consistently good. There is much new material presented. There is
certainly much for the ecologist in this book." --Trends in Ecology
& Evolution
"Presents not a challenge for . . . students but a fair collection
of the relevant recent literature, some of which could be read
concurrently with the book. The array of topics covered by Williams
in this work is wide, yet this a physically small book." --American
Journal of Physical Anthropology
"Evolutionary biologists will want to consider it carefully."
--BioScience
"a bold and original assessment of selected topics in evolutionary
biology . . . . Williams confidently dismantles local orthodoxies .
. . . Williams' discussion of historicity and constraint is
level-headed and commendably bereft of the political overtones that
usually accompany this topic . . . . This book, like both of his
previous books, deserves careful study." --Mark Pagel, Journal of
Animal Ecology
"In 1966, Williams published a book with the title Adaptation and
Natural Selection: A Critique of Some Current Evolutionary Thought
that became a classic. It is still widely read and widely
recommended to students. This new book could appropriately carry
the same title. Comparing the two measures a quarter-century of
progress in evolutionary thought . . . . The book constructively
critiques central evolutionary ideas. It should be published
with
the 1966 book in one volume. Together they make a devastating, and
exciting, read." --Science
"Ranges widely, and many kinds of specialist could sample it for
inspiration and fresh thinking. Only the future can reveal whether
it will have as much influence as his previous books, but it does
contain several ideas that are big enough to make it a possibility
. . . . A delightful book." --Nature
"Interesting discussions of specialized topics." --Choice
"Thoughtful, provocative and pleasantly idiosyncratic. . . .
consistently good. There is much new material presented. There is
certainly much for the ecologist in this book." --Trends in Ecology
& Evolution
"Presents not a challenge for . . . students but a fair collection
of the relevant recent literature, some of which could be read
concurrently with the book. The array of topics covered by Williams
in this work is wide, yet this a physically small book." --American
Journal of Physical Anthropology
"Evolutionary biologists will want to consider it carefully."
--BioScience
"a bold and original assessment of selected topics in evolutionary
biology . . . . Williams confidently dismantles local orthodoxies .
. . . Williams' discussion of historicity and constraint is
level-headed and commendably bereft of the political overtones that
usually accompany this topic . . . . This book, like both of his
previous books, deserves careful study." --Mark Pagel, Journal of
Animal Ecology
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