Description: This book examines important questions in evolutionary biology, including how evolutionary innovations are generated and the origin of new constructional principles and new organs. It also scrutinizes the beginning of the major evolutionary transitions.
Review Quotes:
"The core of Rosslenbroich's book is a series of chapters examining the evolutionary trajectory of autonomy in more detail, through the lenses of history and function. The depth of the treatment of evidence is remarkable, his command of principles and facts of anatomy and physiology enviable." (Daniel W. McShea, Biology & Philosophy, Vol. 30 (3), May, 2015)
"The volume explores the nature of biological autonomy and its application to understanding major evolutionary trends. ... this is an important book that deserves to play a role in the reforming of an updated evolutionary synthesis; it will appeal to evolutionary biologists, philosophers of science, and even zoologists who will accordingly reconsider morphological, anatomical, physiological, and behavioral features of animal life in a new, dynamic context." (Mark Riegner, The Quarterly Review of Biology, Vol. 90 (1), March, 2015)
"I recommend the book as a fine blend of thought-provoking holism, built around a conscientious survey of the deeper implications of dynamic systems and process thinking, essential to revise our still-too-static view of biology, and incorporate a mature understanding of autonomy." (Martin Lockley, Acta Biotheoretica, August, 2014)