PHIL 3370 - Philosophy of Biology

Students are introduced to biological thought and philosophical issues that arise from biology. Topics include the rise of evolutionary biology; adaptation and apparent design; genetic determinism; sociobiology and biological study of human behavior; human nature; reductionism; evolutionary history; and creationism and intelligent design. Reading include selections from Darwin, selections from 20th century biologists such as Fisher, Wright and Mayr, selections from philosophers of biology such as Sober, Hull and Sterelny and selections from science writers such as Dawkins. This course illustrates problems from the philosophy of science with examples from biology. The course is appropriate from philosophy majors but also for biology majors, anthropology majors and other students interested in philosophical issues arising from biology.