Emphasizing connections between biological theories and other areas of philosophy, and carefully explaining both philosophical and biological terms, Peter Godfrey-Smith discusses the relation between philosophy and science; examines the role of laws, mechanistic explanation, and idealized models in biological theories; describes evolution by natural selection; and assesses attempts to extend Darwin's mechanism to explain changes in ideas, culture, and other phenomena.

Table of Contents

• Dedication
• Preface
• Chapter one: Philosophy and Biology
• Chapter two: Laws, Mechanisms, and Models
• Chapter three: Evolution and Natural Selection
• Chapter four: Adaptation, Construction, Function
• Chapter five: Individuals
• Chapter six: Genes
• Chapter seven: Species and the Tree of Life
• Chapter eight: Evolution and Social Behavior
• Chapter nine: Information
• References