Pragmatic Evolution
Applications of Evolutionary Theory

Addresses key questions about the development of evolutionary thinking to explore the interaction between evolutionary theory and its practical applications.

Aldo Poiani (Edited by)

9780521760553, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 10 November 2011

362 pages, 32 b/w illus. 4 colour illus. 6 tables
23.5 x 15.8 x 2.1 cm, 0.71 kg

'… this diverse collection of papers is at the moment the best source of ideas about the also diverse, and rapidly increasing, array of areas in which a perspective inspired by evolutionary biology can find rewarding application.' Science and Education

Of what use is evolutionary science to society? Can evolutionary thinking provide us with the tools to better understand and even make positive changes to the world? Addressing key questions about the development of evolutionary thinking, this book explores the interaction between evolutionary theory and its practical applications. Featuring contributions from leading specialists, Pragmatic Evolution highlights the diverse and interdisciplinary applications of evolutionary thinking: their potential and limitations. The fields covered range from palaeontology, genetics, ecology, agriculture, fisheries, medicine, neurobiology, psychology and animal behaviour; to information technology, education, anthropology and philosophy. Detailed examples of useful and current evolutionary applications are provided throughout. An ideal source of information to promote a better understanding of contemporary evolutionary science and its applications, this book also encourages the continued development of new opportunities for constructive evolutionary applications across a range of fields.

List of contributors
Preface
Acknowledgments
Introduction Aldo Poiani
Part I. Evolution, Ecology and Conservation: 1. Evolution, missing links and climate change: recent advances in understanding transformational macroevolution John Long
2. Evolutionary perspectives in conservation genetics Kamal Ibrahim and Roberta Torunsky
Part II. Evolution and Food Production: 3. Evolution in agriculture Steve Wratten, Mark Gillespie and Aldo Poiani
4. The evolutionary ecology of pollination and the functional biology of agricultural plants Martin Burd, Angelica Martínez Bauer and Mani R. Shrestha
5. The dawn of Darwinian fishery management Mikko Heino, Adriaan Rijnsdorp and Ulf Dieckmann
Part III. Evolution and Medicine: 6. Evolution: a basic science for medicine Randolph Nesse
7. Evolutionary insights for immunological interventions Paul W. Ewald and Holly A. Swain Ewald
8. Neuroevolution and neurodegeneration: two sides of the same coin? Jonathan Foster, Peter Boord and Michael Smith
9. Evolution, music and neurotherapy Alan Harvey
Part IV. Evolution and Psychology: 10. Antecedents of teenage pregnancy: using an evolutionary perspective in the search for mechanisms David Coall, Tomas E. Dickins and Daniel Nettle
11. Flourishing and fitness: an evolutionary perspective on health capability Jim Chisholm
Part V. Evolution and Computing: 12. Natural computation: evolving solutions to complex problems David Green
13. Harnessing the swarm: technological applications of collective intelligence Suzanne Sadedin and Edgar A. Duéñez-Guzmán
Part VI. Evolution and Society: 14. Evolutionary arguments against the de facto re-pathologising of homosexuality Aldo Poiani
15. Teaching evolution and the nature of science Douglas Futuyma
16. Evolutionary ideologies Jonathan Marks
17. Can Darwinism offer existential reassurance at times of personal or social crisis? Michael Ruse
Index.

Subject Areas: Plant reproduction & propagation [PSTL], Genetics [non-medical PSAK], Evolution [PSAJ]