The complex idea of “species” has evolved over time, yet its meaning is far from resolved. This comprehensive work takes a fresh look at an idea central to the field of biology by tracing its history from antiquity to today. John S. Wilkins explores the essentialist view, a staple of logic from Plato and Aristotle through the Middle Ages to fairly recent times, and considers the idea of species in natural history—a concept often connected to reproduction. Tracing “generative conceptions” of species back through Darwin to Epicurus, Wilkins provides a new perspective on the relationship between philosophical and biological approaches to this concept. He also reviews the array of current definitions. Species is a benchmark exploration and clarification of a concept fundamental to the past, present, and future of the natural sciences.

Preface vii
Acknowledgments xiii

Prologue 1

The Classical Era: Science by Division 9

The Medieval Bridge 35

Species and the Birth of Modern Science 47

The Early Nineteenth Century: A Period of Change 97

Darwin and the Darwinians 129

The Species Problem Arises 165

The Synthesis and Species 181

Modern Debates 197

Reproductive Isolation Concepts 197

Evolutionary Species Concepts 201

Phylogenetic Species Concepts 205

Other Species Concepts 216

Historical Summary and Conclusions 227

Notes 235
References 251
Index 289
About the Author

John S. Wilkins is Research Fellow in Philosophy at the University of Sydney. He is the author of Defining Species: A Sourcebook from Antiquity to Today.

“If you want to know about the views on species of any major, and many minor figures, there is a good chance you will find useful information. No other book provides this kind of comprehensive, historical account of the thinking about species. As reference work, this book is impressive."—Int’l History, Philosophy, & Science Teaching Group Newsletter

“The most comprehensive, encyclopedic account of the history of the thinking about species. And for that reason it is required reading for anyone who is truly interested in this history. Its historical scope and detail are truly impressive.”—Science & Education

“A useful source for literature, ideas, and history of the topic.”—Integrative & Comparative Bio (Sicb)

“[A] congenial book.”—Oxford Journal

“The most comprehensive work of its kind. It will appeal to students in a diverse set of disciplines, including systematics, taxonomy, history, and philosophy. . . . Highly recommended.”—Choice

“Provides a comprehensive and interesting synthesis of the species problem today in the context of changing ideologies through history.”—Jrnl of Human Evolution Blog

“Provides a thorough background in this important topic. . . . This book would be appropriate for an upper-level taxonomy, evolution, or systematics course. It would also be a valuable resource for anyone doing research on these topics.”—Nsta Recommends

“Provides an encyclopedic history of the idea of species from Plato to the present.”—Darwinian Conservatism Blog

"This book provides a thorough background in this important topic. It's very obvious from the detail provided that the author spent 10 years researching the topic. The author traces the roots of species concept from the classical era all the way through the modern debates that occur regarding the subject." -National Science Teachers Association

"What is a species? John Wilkins traces the history of this question from Plato and Aristotle via Locke and Darwin to Mayr, Hennig, and into contemporary debates about species concepts. Before he begins, Wilkins, justifies the writing of a history of ideas, something that he notes is out of fashion with professional historians." -Metascience

“Wilkins writes this in a very readable manner, his style being both precise and relaxed. Like all good historians, he has a new perspective on the concept of species, and how that concept has evolved, in terms of both transformation and increasing diversification through time. The book does provide a critical framework by linking species concepts together into a historical network.” -Oxford Journals

"Few topics have engaged biologists and philosophers more than the concept of species, and arguably no idea is more important for evolutionary science. John S. Wilkins' book combines meticulous historical and philosophical analysis and thus provides new insights on the development of this most enduring of subjects."—Joel Cracraft, American Museum of Natural History

"This is not the potted history that one usually finds in texts and review articles. It is a fresh look at the history of a field central to biology, but one whose centrality has changed in scope over the centuries. Wilkins' book will be a standard source for all kinds of people working in systematics. There is not another book on the subject, amazingly enough, and his perspective is so comprehensive and well-taught that it will replace any standard review articles and older histories."—Kevin Padian, University of California, Berkeley

"An essential sourcebook for anyone interested in the species problem and the history of 'species.' Wilkins does a wonderful job detangling the various uses of 'species.' His book brings clarity to a topic marked by confusion and ambiguity."—Marc Ereshefsky, author of The Poverty of Linnaean Hierarchy: A Philosophical Study of Biological Taxonomy

Outstanding Academic Title in Biology, Choice, a publication of the American Library Association

Visit John S. Wilkins's Evolving Thoughts blog