Nature's Oracle

The Life and Work of W.D.Hamilton

Nonfiction, Science & Nature, Science, Biological Sciences, Biography & Memoir
Cover of the book Nature's Oracle by Ullica Segerstrale, OUP Oxford
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Ullica Segerstrale ISBN: 9780191642777
Publisher: OUP Oxford Publication: February 28, 2013
Imprint: OUP Oxford Language: English
Author: Ullica Segerstrale
ISBN: 9780191642777
Publisher: OUP Oxford
Publication: February 28, 2013
Imprint: OUP Oxford
Language: English

W.D.Hamilton (1936-2000) was responsible for a revolution in thinking about evolutionary biology - a revolution that changed our understanding of life itself. He played a central role in the realization that what matters in evolution is not the survival of the individual but of the survival of its genes. This provided the solution to the long standing problem of animal altruism that vexed even Darwin himself, and in due course resulted in terms like selfish genes, kin selection, and sociobiology becoming familiar to a wider public. Hamilton went on to solve many more major problems, and open up ever new fields - he shaped much of our current understanding of central problems including the evolution of sexual reproduction and ageing. He became world famous and garnered international prizes. But this is all in hindsight. In fact, Hamilton's recognition came late - his career is a classic case of misunderstood genius. In this illuminating and moving biography Ullica Segerstrale documents Hamilton's extraordinary life and work, revealing a man of immense intellectual curiosity, an uncompromising truth-seeker, a naturalist and jungle explorer, a risk-taker, an unconventional scientist with a poet's soul and a deep concern for life on earth and mankind's future.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

W.D.Hamilton (1936-2000) was responsible for a revolution in thinking about evolutionary biology - a revolution that changed our understanding of life itself. He played a central role in the realization that what matters in evolution is not the survival of the individual but of the survival of its genes. This provided the solution to the long standing problem of animal altruism that vexed even Darwin himself, and in due course resulted in terms like selfish genes, kin selection, and sociobiology becoming familiar to a wider public. Hamilton went on to solve many more major problems, and open up ever new fields - he shaped much of our current understanding of central problems including the evolution of sexual reproduction and ageing. He became world famous and garnered international prizes. But this is all in hindsight. In fact, Hamilton's recognition came late - his career is a classic case of misunderstood genius. In this illuminating and moving biography Ullica Segerstrale documents Hamilton's extraordinary life and work, revealing a man of immense intellectual curiosity, an uncompromising truth-seeker, a naturalist and jungle explorer, a risk-taker, an unconventional scientist with a poet's soul and a deep concern for life on earth and mankind's future.

More books from OUP Oxford

Cover of the book Oxford Handbook of Sociology, Social Theory and Organization Studies by Ullica Segerstrale
Cover of the book Alcohol: No Ordinary Commodity by Ullica Segerstrale
Cover of the book Theorizing Internal Security in the European Union by Ullica Segerstrale
Cover of the book To Comfort Always by Ullica Segerstrale
Cover of the book Shakespeare's First Folio by Ullica Segerstrale
Cover of the book Oxford Textbook of Palliative Care for Children by Ullica Segerstrale
Cover of the book The Interesting Narrative by Ullica Segerstrale
Cover of the book A Dictionary of Anaesthesia by Ullica Segerstrale
Cover of the book A Dictionary of Social Media by Ullica Segerstrale
Cover of the book Agnosticism: A Very Short Introduction by Ullica Segerstrale
Cover of the book Family Background and University Success by Ullica Segerstrale
Cover of the book The Oxford Handbook of Indian Foreign Policy by Ullica Segerstrale
Cover of the book Philosophy in the Hellenistic and Roman Worlds by Ullica Segerstrale
Cover of the book Reference by Ullica Segerstrale
Cover of the book Exploring Personal Genomics by Ullica Segerstrale
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy