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The Evolutionary Synthesis: Perspectives on the Unification of Biology
Pp. xi, 487; 3 text-figures. Publisher's original green cloth, lettered in silver on the spine, printed tan dust jacket lettered in white, lg 8vo. This volume traces the development of the evolutionary synthesis (or modern synthesis) from the early 20th century to its unanimity in 1947. The work explores the barriers of nationality and discipline that impeded the development of the modern synthesis. No ownership marks.
487 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1980
About the author
Ernst W. Mayr
97 books165 followersFor the computer scientist, see Ernst Wilhelm Meyr
Ernst Walter Mayr (July 5, 1904 – February 3, 2005) was one of the 20th century's leading evolutionary biologists. He was also a renowned taxonomist, tropical explorer, ornithologist, and historian of science. His work contributed to the conceptual revolution that led to the modern evolutionary synthesis of Mendelian genetics, systematics, and Darwinian evolution, and to the development of the biological species concept.
Although Charles Darwin and others posited that multiple species could evolve from a single common ancestor, the mechanism by which this occurred was not understood, creating the species problem. Ernst Mayr approached the problem with a new definition for the concept of species. In his book Systematics and the Origin of Species (1942) he wrote that a species is not just a group of morphologically similar individuals, but a group that can breed only among themselves, excluding all others. When populations within a species become isolated by geography, feeding strategy, mate selection, or other means, they may start to differ from other populations through genetic drift and natural selection, and over time may evolve into new species. The most significant and rapid genetic reorganization occurs in extremely small populations that have been isolated (as on islands).
His theory of peripatric speciation (a more precise form of allopatric speciation which he advanced), based on his work on birds, is still considered a leading mode of speciation, and was the theoretical underpinning for the theory of punctuated equilibrium, proposed by Niles Eldredge and Stephen Jay Gould. Mayr is sometimes credited with inventing modern philosophy of biology, particularly the part related to evolutionary biology, which he distinguished from physics due to its introduction of (natural) history into science.
Ernst Walter Mayr (July 5, 1904 – February 3, 2005) was one of the 20th century's leading evolutionary biologists. He was also a renowned taxonomist, tropical explorer, ornithologist, and historian of science. His work contributed to the conceptual revolution that led to the modern evolutionary synthesis of Mendelian genetics, systematics, and Darwinian evolution, and to the development of the biological species concept.
Although Charles Darwin and others posited that multiple species could evolve from a single common ancestor, the mechanism by which this occurred was not understood, creating the species problem. Ernst Mayr approached the problem with a new definition for the concept of species. In his book Systematics and the Origin of Species (1942) he wrote that a species is not just a group of morphologically similar individuals, but a group that can breed only among themselves, excluding all others. When populations within a species become isolated by geography, feeding strategy, mate selection, or other means, they may start to differ from other populations through genetic drift and natural selection, and over time may evolve into new species. The most significant and rapid genetic reorganization occurs in extremely small populations that have been isolated (as on islands).
His theory of peripatric speciation (a more precise form of allopatric speciation which he advanced), based on his work on birds, is still considered a leading mode of speciation, and was the theoretical underpinning for the theory of punctuated equilibrium, proposed by Niles Eldredge and Stephen Jay Gould. Mayr is sometimes credited with inventing modern philosophy of biology, particularly the part related to evolutionary biology, which he distinguished from physics due to its introduction of (natural) history into science.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
August 24, 2009
A series of essays from around the world on the History of the Evolutionary Synthesis published in 1980. In Tennessee the teaching of the origins of human evolution was only repealed in 1967 (The Butler Act):
PUBLIC ACTS OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE
PASSED BY THE SIXTY - FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY 1925
CHAPTER NO. 27
House Bill No. 185
(By Mr. Butler)
AN ACT prohibiting the teaching of the Evolution Theory in all the Universities, Normals and all other public schools of Tennessee, which are supported in whole or in part by the public school funds of the State, and to provide penalties for the violations thereof.
Section 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Tennessee, That it shall be unlawful for any teacher in any of the Universities, Normals and all other public schools of the State which are supported in whole or in part by the public school funds of the State, to teach any theory that denies the story of the Divine Creation of man as taught in the Bible, and to teach instead that man has descended from a lower order of animals.
Section 2. Be it further enacted, That any teacher found guilty of the violation of this Act, Shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction, shall be fined not less than One Hundred $ (100.00) Dollars nor more than Five Hundred ($ 500.00) Dollars for each offense.
Section 3. Be it further enacted, That this Act take effect from and after its passage, the public welfare requiring it.
Passed March 13, 1925
W. F. Barry,
Speaker of the House of Representatives
L. D. Hill,
Speaker of the Senate
Approved March 21, 1925.
Austin Peay,
Governor.
PUBLIC ACTS OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE
PASSED BY THE EIGHTY - FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY 1967
________
CHAPTER NO. 237
House Bill No. 48
(By Smith, Galbreath, Bradley)
SUBSTITUTED FOR : SENATE BILL NO. 46
(By Elam)
AN ACT to repeal Section 498 - 1922, Tennessee Code Annotated, prohibiting the teaching of evolution.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Tennessee :
Section 1. Section 49 - 1922, Tennessee Code Annotated, is repealed.
Section 2. This Act shall take effect September 1, 1967.
Passed : May 13, 1967
James H. Cummings,
Speaker of the House of Representatives
Frank C. Gorrell,
Speaker of the Senate
Approved : May 17, 1967.
Buford Ellington,
Governor.
PUBLIC ACTS OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE
PASSED BY THE SIXTY - FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY 1925
CHAPTER NO. 27
House Bill No. 185
(By Mr. Butler)
AN ACT prohibiting the teaching of the Evolution Theory in all the Universities, Normals and all other public schools of Tennessee, which are supported in whole or in part by the public school funds of the State, and to provide penalties for the violations thereof.
Section 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Tennessee, That it shall be unlawful for any teacher in any of the Universities, Normals and all other public schools of the State which are supported in whole or in part by the public school funds of the State, to teach any theory that denies the story of the Divine Creation of man as taught in the Bible, and to teach instead that man has descended from a lower order of animals.
Section 2. Be it further enacted, That any teacher found guilty of the violation of this Act, Shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction, shall be fined not less than One Hundred $ (100.00) Dollars nor more than Five Hundred ($ 500.00) Dollars for each offense.
Section 3. Be it further enacted, That this Act take effect from and after its passage, the public welfare requiring it.
Passed March 13, 1925
W. F. Barry,
Speaker of the House of Representatives
L. D. Hill,
Speaker of the Senate
Approved March 21, 1925.
Austin Peay,
Governor.
PUBLIC ACTS OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE
PASSED BY THE EIGHTY - FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY 1967
________
CHAPTER NO. 237
House Bill No. 48
(By Smith, Galbreath, Bradley)
SUBSTITUTED FOR : SENATE BILL NO. 46
(By Elam)
AN ACT to repeal Section 498 - 1922, Tennessee Code Annotated, prohibiting the teaching of evolution.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Tennessee :
Section 1. Section 49 - 1922, Tennessee Code Annotated, is repealed.
Section 2. This Act shall take effect September 1, 1967.
Passed : May 13, 1967
James H. Cummings,
Speaker of the House of Representatives
Frank C. Gorrell,
Speaker of the Senate
Approved : May 17, 1967.
Buford Ellington,
Governor.
August 6, 2016
Un libro fundamental en biología evolutiva, que pone en perspectiva el darwinismo y el neodarwinismo. Desafortunadamente, hay poca divulgación de la nueva síntesis, seguramente porque bastante se sufre en la pelea con los creacionistas del "diseño inteligente".
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews