George Christopher Williams Bücher

Wir mögen uns als die fortschrittlichste Art auf diesem Planeten betrachten, aber haben wir wirklich unser optimales Design erreicht? Der Evolutionsbiologe George C. Williams zeigt uns sowohl beeindruckende als auch absurde Anpassungen, mit denen die Natur uns ausgestattet hat. Unter einem modernen evolutionsbiologischen Blickwinkel beleuchtet er die alte Frage nach „Plan und Zweck in der Natur“. Warum hat der Ponyfisch ein Leuchtorgan? Wozu dient es? Warum haben wir nur ein Paar nach vorne gerichtete Augen, wenn ein drittes Auge uns optimieren könnte? Warum altern wir, sind anfällig für Krankheiten und müssen menschliche Babys durch einen engen Geburtskanal? Williams erläutert die grundlegenden Konzepte von natürlicher Selektion und Anpassung. Die Evolution „erfindet“ ständig neue Variationen von Körperbau, Stoffwechsel und Verhalten, doch ihre „Freiheit“ wird durch physikalische und chemische Gesetze sowie durch historische Entwicklungen eingeschränkt. Jeder Organismus trägt seine evolutionäre Geschichte mit sich. Es gibt keinen gezielten Plan oder „bestes Design“. Die natürliche Selektion ist blind für zukünftige Konsequenzen gegenwärtiger Veränderungen. Williams zeigt, wie eine evolutionsbiologische Perspektive auf Krankheiten und körperliche Abwehrreaktionen auch der Medizin zugutekommen könnte, und zieht hochaktuelle Bezüge aus seiner Analyse der grundlegenden Evolutionsprozesse.

Originally published: 1966. With new foreword. [First] Princeton science library edition, with new preface by the author, Ã1996.

The first ever description of how evolutionary principles can be applied to questions of health and sickness.

Biological evolution is a fact - but the many conflicting theories of evolution remain controversial even today. This title includes essay in defense of Darwinism; its suggestions for developing effective principles for dealing with the evolution debate and its relevance to many fields outside biology ensure the timelessness of this critical work.

The next time you get sick, consider this before picking up the aspirin: your body may be doing exactly what it's supposed to. In this ground-breaking book, two pioneers of the science of Darwinian medicine argue that illness as well as the factors that predispose us toward it are subject to the same laws of natural selection that otherwise make our bodies such miracles of design.  Among the concerns they raise:When may a fever be beneficial?Why do pregnant women get morning sickness?How do certain viruses "manipulate" their hosts into infecting others?What evolutionary factors may be responsible for depression and panic disorder?Deftly summarizing research on disorders ranging from allergies to Alzheimer's, and form cancer to Huntington's chorea, Why We Get Sick,  answers these questions and more.  The result is a book that will revolutionize our attitudes toward illness and will intrigue and instruct lay person and medical practitioners alike.

In Plan and Purpose in Nature George C. Williams examines Darwinian evolution in the natural world. He tells the story not only of adaptations which natural selection produces through nature, but also the limitations of evolution for modern human beings, and how the rapid evolution of micro-organisms is likely to pose an alarming threat to human health.

Exploring the life and work of the renowned Renaissance painter Perugino, this book delves into his artistic techniques, influences, and contributions to the art world. It highlights his role in shaping the early developments of the High Renaissance and features a rich analysis of his most significant works. Through detailed illustrations and scholarly insights, readers gain a deeper understanding of Perugino's style, including his use of color and composition, as well as his impact on his contemporaries and future generations of artists.

The book is a facsimile reprint of a scarce antiquarian work, preserving its historical significance despite potential imperfections like marks and flawed pages. It aims to protect and promote cultural literature by offering a high-quality, affordable edition that remains true to the original text. This dedication to literary preservation highlights the importance of accessing classic works for contemporary readers.

T. H. Huxley (1825-1895) was not only an active protagonist in the religious and scientific upheaval that followed the publication of Darwin's theory of evolution but also a harbinger of the sociobiological debates about the implications of evolution that are now going on. His seminal lecture Evolution and Ethics, reprinted here with its introducto