The Ontogeny of Information: Developmental Systems and Evolution - Softcover

Oyama, Susan

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0521312574 ISBN 13: 9780521312578

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 1986

Synopsis

In The Ontogeny of Information, Susan Oyama draws on psychology, biology, and anthropology, as well as philosophy and history, to explore the many facets of the nature-nurture debate. Our deepest beliefs about what is natural, inevitable and unchangeable, what is normal and good, are affected by our concept of biological nature. Because the non-academic world also continues to frame important questions in terms of genetic necessity and cultural overlay, this distinction between nature and culture has serious implications for the conduct of private lives and for the making of public policy.

About this title

Review

“In the tale of the emperor’s new clothes, the small boy’s genius lay in his naive recognition of the great man’s nudity. Oyama has a similar, if more sophisticated genius: she recognizes the subtle manner in which molecular biologists have allowed metaphors to replace explanations. It is no exaggeration to claim that she has resolved the nature-nurture dispute and provided an altogether new vision of the processes of development and evolution.”—Peter Klopfer, Duke University

“The publication of this revised edition of The Ontogeny of Information is timely and welcome, especially given the current dominance of simplistic views about genetic causation, aided by constant misuse of the ideas of information, coding and programming. Oyama’s classic discussion of these concepts combines patient, subtle dissection with bold and novel moves. The Ontogeny of Information is a work of brilliant originality and enduring relevance.”—Peter Godfrey-Smith, Stanford University

“This is among the most important books on developmental theory published in the last several decades. It continues to be cited regularly in work from several different disciplines, including developmental biology, evolutionary biology, neuroscience, and psychology.”—Robert Lickliter, Virginia Polytechnic Institute

Book Description

In The Ontogeny of Information, Susan Oyama draws on psychology, biology, and anthropology, as well as philosophy and history, to explore the many facets of the nature-nurture debate.

Edition details

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 1986
• ISBN 10: 0521312574
• ISBN 13: 9780521312578
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 215