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 Thalassaemia: The Biography by Ullica Segerstrale
Cover of the book Prospection, well-being, and mental health by Ullica Segerstrale
Cover of the book Renewing Philosophy of Religion by Ullica Segerstrale
Cover of the book How Big is Big and How Small is Small by Ullica Segerstrale
Cover of the book After the Fall by Ullica Segerstrale
Cover of the book A Practical Approach to Sentencing by Ullica Segerstrale
Cover of the book Social and Cultural Anthropology: A Very Short Introduction by Ullica Segerstrale
Cover of the book Captains Courageous by Ullica Segerstrale
Cover of the book Irresolvable Norm Conflicts in International Law by Ullica Segerstrale
Cover of the book Sartre on Sin by Ullica Segerstrale
Cover of the book International Commercial Arbitration in New York by Ullica Segerstrale
Cover of the book In Spies We Trust by Ullica Segerstrale
Cover of the book Axial Spondyloarthritis by Ullica Segerstrale
Cover of the book Biodiversity Conservation and Environmental Change by Ullica Segerstrale
Cover of the book An Introduction to Transnational Criminal Law 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