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John C. Kricher - The Balance of Nature: Ecology´s Enduring Myth - 9780691138985 - V9780691138985
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The Balance of Nature: Ecology´s Enduring Myth

€ 41.76
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Description for The Balance of Nature: Ecology´s Enduring Myth Hardback. The idea of a balance of nature has been a dominant part of Western philosophy since before Aristotle, and it persists in the public imagination and even among some ecologists today. This book demonstrates that nature in fact is not in balance, nor has it ever been at any stage in Earth's history. Num Pages: 256 pages. BIC Classification: PSAF; PSAJ; RNK. Category: (U) Tertiary Education (US: College). Dimension: 244 x 165 x 20. Weight in Grams: 514.
The idea of a balance of nature has been a dominant part of Western philosophy since before Aristotle, and it persists in the public imagination and even among some ecologists today. In this lively and thought-provoking book, John Kricher demonstrates that nature in fact is not in balance, nor has it ever been at any stage in Earth's history. He explains how and why this notion of a natural world in balance has endured for so long, and he shows why, in these times of extraordinary human influence on the planet's ecosystems, it is critical that we accept and understand that evolution is a fact of life, and that ecology is far more dynamic than we ever imagined. The Balance of Nature traces the fascinating history of the science of ecology and evolutionary biology, from the discipline's early innovators to the advent of Darwin and evolution, to the brilliant and inquisitive scientific minds of today. Blending insights and entertaining stories from his own remarkable life in science, Kricher reveals how evolution is a powerful engine that drives ecological change, how nature is constantly in flux and, in effect, quite naturally out of balance--and how notions to the contrary are misguided and ultimately hazardous to us all. The Balance of Nature forcefully argues that an understanding of the dynamic nature of ecology and evolution is essential to formulating policies of environmental ethics to guide humanity toward a more responsible stewardship of our planet's ecosystems.

Product Details

Publisher
Princeton University Press United States
Number of pages
256
Format
Hardback
Publication date
2009
Condition
New
Weight
513g
Number of Pages
256
Place of Publication
New Jersey, United States
ISBN
9780691138985
SKU
V9780691138985
Shipping Time
Usually ships in 15 to 20 working days
Ref
99-15

About John C. Kricher
John Kricher is the A. Howard Meneely Professor of Biology at Wheaton College. His books include "Galapagos: A Natural History" and "A Neotropical Companion" (both Princeton).

Reviews for The Balance of Nature: Ecology´s Enduring Myth
"The author conveys his message in a clear writing style without using highly technical concepts or terminology."
B.R. Shmaefsky, Choice "Kricher's book is of interest to environmental historians and historians of science not only on account of the information it contains, but also because within it there is so little of the scholarship of the history of the environmental sciences with which we, in the humanities and social sciences, are familiar."
Jane Carruthers, Environment and History "With The Balance of Nature, John Kricher has done us the favor of producing the book our non-ecological parents should read. In a scant 200 pages of accessible prose, Kricher weaves together three themes about which any literate citizen should be aware... The Balance of Nature hits its mark. Buy a copy for your parents, your students, and your children today."
Aaron M. Ellison, Ecology "The relationship between science and non-science belief systems especially religious belief system has always been an uneasy one. Even though this book clearly sides with science in disclaiming the notion of the 'balance of nature', it is still relevant to people who hold to the Judeo-Christian creation belief and of other religious backgrounds who are interested in the workings of the natural world."
Richard S. Mbatu, International Journal of Environmental Studies

Goodreads reviews for The Balance of Nature: Ecology´s Enduring Myth


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