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Michael Ruse

Florida State University
  •  Home
  •  Publications
    407
    • Most Recent
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    • Topics
  •  Events
    3
  •  News and Updates
    108
  •  Philosophical Views

 More details
  • Florida State University
    Department of Philosophy
    Other
Tallahassee, Florida, United States of America
Areas of Specialization
Philosophy of Religion
Philosophy of Biology
Areas of Interest
Philosophy of Religion
Philosophy of Biology
  • All publications (407)
  •  43
    Review: Restroom Reading (review)
    Journal of the History of Biology 40 (1). 2007.
  •  68
    Ernst Mayr 1904–2005
    Biology and Philosophy 20 (4): 623-631. 2005.
  •  112
    A reply to Wright's analysis of functional statements
    Philosophy of Science 40 (2): 277-280. 1973.
    Functions
  •  73
    The Philosophy of Evolution Uffe J. Jensen and Rom Harre, editors Brighton: Harvester, 1981. Pp. vii, 299. £22.50 (review)
    Dialogue 23 (1): 171-172. 1984.
    Evolutionary Biology
  •  44
    Models for Genetics (review)
    International Studies in Philosophy 35 (4): 151-152. 2003.
    Biological ModelingGenetics
  •  1
    C. H. Anderson , "Sociological Essays and Research" (review)
    Theory and Decision 1 (4): 399. 1971.
  •  96
    Reduction in Biology
    The Proceedings of the Twentieth World Congress of Philosophy 10 43-50. 2001.
    In this paper I shall discuss the concept of reduction—ontological, methodological, and epistemological or theoretical—in the biological sciences, with special emphasis on genetics and evolutionary biology. I suggest that perhaps, because the biological world has a form different from the non-biological world, it is appropriate to think of terms or metaphors different from those we would use when trying to understand the inorganic world. As such, the attempt to show that the biological is simply…Read more
    In this paper I shall discuss the concept of reduction—ontological, methodological, and epistemological or theoretical—in the biological sciences, with special emphasis on genetics and evolutionary biology. I suggest that perhaps, because the biological world has a form different from the non-biological world, it is appropriate to think of terms or metaphors different from those we would use when trying to understand the inorganic world. As such, the attempt to show that the biological is simply a deductive consequence of the physicochemical is doomed to failure. The philosophical complexity of reductionism on the one hand and its potential for advancing the study of biology on the other thus requires continuing the ongoing dialogue between philosophers and biologists.
    Philosophy of Biology, General Works
  •  77
    Evolutionary biology and the question of teleology
    Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Part C: Studies in History and Philosophy of Biological and Biomedical Sciences 58 100-106. 2016.
    Teleology
  •  94
    But is It Science?: The Philosophical Question in the Creation/Evolution Controversy (edited book)
    with Robert T. Pennock
    Prometheus Books. 2008.
    Preface 9 PART I: RELIGIOUS, SCIENTIFIC, AND PHILOSOPHICAL BACKGROUND Introduction to Part I 19 1. The Bible 27 2. Natural Theology 33 William Paley 3. On the Origin of Species 38 Charles Darwin 4. Objections to Mr. Darwin’s Theory of the Origin of Species 65 Adam Sedgwick 5. The Origin of Species 73 Thomas H. Huxley 6. What Is Darwinism? 82 Charles Hodge 7. Darwinism as a Metaphysical Research Program 105 Karl Popper 8. Karl Popper’s Philosophy of Biology 116 Michael Ruse 9. Human Nature: One E…Read more
    Preface 9 PART I: RELIGIOUS, SCIENTIFIC, AND PHILOSOPHICAL BACKGROUND Introduction to Part I 19 1. The Bible 27 2. Natural Theology 33 William Paley 3. On the Origin of Species 38 Charles Darwin 4. Objections to Mr. Darwin’s Theory of the Origin of Species 65 Adam Sedgwick 5. The Origin of Species 73 Thomas H. Huxley 6. What Is Darwinism? 82 Charles Hodge 7. Darwinism as a Metaphysical Research Program 105 Karl Popper 8. Karl Popper’s Philosophy of Biology 116 Michael Ruse 9. Human Nature: One Evolutionist’s View 136 Francisco Ayala 10. Universal Darwinism 158 Richard Dawkins PART II: CREATION SCIENCE AND THE McLEAN CASE Introduction to Part II 187 11. The Creationists 192 Ronald L. Numbers 12. Creation, Evolution, and the Historical Evidence 231 Duane T. Gish 13. Witness Testimony Sheet: McLean v. Arkansas Board of Education 253 Michael Ruse 14. United States District Court Opinion: McLean v. Arkansas Board of Education 279 Judge William R. Overton 15. The Demise of the Demarcation Problem 312 Larry Laudan 16. Science at the BarùCauses for Concern 331 Larry Laudan 17. Pro Judice 337 Michael Ruse 18. More on Creationism 345 Larry Laudan 19. Commentary: Philosophers at the BarùSome Reasons for Restraint 350 Barry R. Gross PART III: INTELLIGENT DESIGN CREATIONISM AND THE KITZMILLER CASE Introduction to Part III 369 20. But Isn’t It Creationism? The Beginnings of "Intelligent Design" in the Midst of the Arkansas and Louisiana Litigation 377 Nick Matzke 21. What Is Darwinism? 414 Phillip E. Johnson 22. Is It Science Yet? Intelligent Design, Creationism, and the Constitution 426 Matthew Brauer, Barbara Forrest, and Steven G. Gey 23. Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District Expert Witness Testimony 434 Michael Behe 24. Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District Expert Report 456 Robert T. Pennock 25. A Step toward the Legalization of Science Studies 485 Steve Fuller 26. What Is Wrong with Intelligent Design? 495 Elliott Sober 27. United States District Court Memorandum Opinion: Kitzmiller, et al. v. Dover Area School District, et al. 506 Judge John E. Jones II 28. Can’t Philosophers Tell the Difference between Science and Religion? Demarcation Revisited 536 Robert T. Pennock.
    Evolutionary Biology
  •  69
    The gym teachers of academia
    The Philosophers' Magazine 58 47-52. 2012.
  •  1
    Kant and evolution
    In Justin E. H. Smith (ed.), The Problem of Animal Generation in Early Modern Philosophy, Cambridge University Press. 2006.
    Kant: Science, Logic, and Mathematics, MiscEvolutionary Biology
  •  81
    Problems of scientific revolution: Progress and obstacles to progress in the sciences (review)
    Erkenntnis 13 (1): 407-416. 1978.
    Scientific Progress
  •  21
    Editorial
    Biology and Philosophy 9 (3): 263-263. 1994.
  •  88
    Book Review:Evolution and Creation Ernan McMullin (review)
    Philosophy of Science 53 (4): 608-. 1986.
    Evolutionary Biology
  •  130
    The Compatibility of Science and Religion: Why the Warfare Thesis Is False
    In Yujin Nagasawa (ed.), Scientific Approaches to the Philosophy of Religion, Palgrave-macmillan. pp. 255. 2012.
    Science and Religion
  •  75
    Is science sexist?
    Behavioral and Brain Sciences 3 (2): 197-198. 1980.
    Philosophy of Cognitive Science
  •  190
    Can a Darwinian be a Christian? Sociobiological Issues
    Zygon 35 (2): 299-316. 2000.
    This essay looks at the Darwinian sociobiological account of morality, arguing that in major respects this philosophy should prove congenial to theChristian. It is shown how modern-day Darwinism, starting from a ‘selfish gene’ perspective, nevertheless argues that a genuine moral sense is part of our evolutionary heritage. This moral sense yields directives much in tune with Christian prescriptions. It is argued also that Darwinian sociobiology can itself offer no metaethical foundations for mor…Read more
    This essay looks at the Darwinian sociobiological account of morality, arguing that in major respects this philosophy should prove congenial to theChristian. It is shown how modern-day Darwinism, starting from a ‘selfish gene’ perspective, nevertheless argues that a genuine moral sense is part of our evolutionary heritage. This moral sense yields directives much in tune with Christian prescriptions. It is argued also that Darwinian sociobiology can itself offer no metaethical foundations for morality, but the Christianwanting to appeal to God's will can nicely and smoothly mesh the religious intent with the scientific and philosophical implications of Darwinian moral inquiry.
    Science and ReligionSociobiology
  •  26
    Reviews (review)
    with Ota Weinberger, Philip Pettit, Hans-W. Gottinger, Hugh Lehman, Carol Babner Barry, Oliva Blanchette, John McMurtry, F. Michael Walsh, J. E. White, and Scott A. Kleiner
    Theory and Decision 4 (3-4): 373-426. 1974.
    German Idealism
  •  99
    Natural theology: The biological sciences
    In J. H. Brooke, F. Watts & R. R. Manning (eds.), The Oxford Handbook of Natural Theology, Oxford Up. pp. 397. 2013.
    This chapter demonstrates the significance of the biological sciences in natural theology. It does so by considering three major topics: the argument from design, the problem of evil, and the place of humans in the cosmic scheme of things. In the light of modern biology, specifically modern Darwinian evolutionary theory, there is little support for definitive proofs of the nature and existence of the Christian God. However, notwithstanding arguments to the contrary, there is nothing in modern Da…Read more
    This chapter demonstrates the significance of the biological sciences in natural theology. It does so by considering three major topics: the argument from design, the problem of evil, and the place of humans in the cosmic scheme of things. In the light of modern biology, specifically modern Darwinian evolutionary theory, there is little support for definitive proofs of the nature and existence of the Christian God. However, notwithstanding arguments to the contrary, there is nothing in modern Darwinian evolutionary theory that makes impossible a belief in a traditional form of Christianity.
    Philosophy of BiologyHistory of Biology
  •  89
    Discovery in the Physical Sciences. By Richard J. Blackwell. Notre Dame: University of Notre Dame Press, 1969. Pp. xii, 240. $8.50 (review)
    Dialogue 9 (3): 480-485. 1970.
  •  83
    Studies in the Philosophy of Biology. Reduction and Related ProblemsFranciso José Ayala Theodosius Dobzhansky
    Isis 67 (3): 479-481. 1976.
    History of BiologyReduction in Biology, Misc
  •  129
    Henry L. Minton. Departing from Deviance: A History of Homosexual Rights and Emancipatory Science in America. 360 pp., illus., index. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2002. $20
    Isis 96 (1): 149-150. 2005.
    Sexual RightsHomosexualityHistory of Science, Misc
  •  88
    Bunge on time
    Philosophy of Science 39 (1): 82. 1972.
    Science, Logic, and MathematicsLatin American Philosophy of Science, Logic, and Mathematics
  •  110
    The Value of Analogical Models in Science
    Dialogue 12 (2): 246-253. 1973.
    Theories and Models
  •  263
    Darwinism and mechanism: metaphor in science
    Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Part C: Studies in History and Philosophy of Biological and Biomedical Sciences 36 (2): 285-302. 2005.
    There are two main senses of ‘mechanism’, both deriving from the metaphor of nature as a machine. One sense refers to contrivance or design, as in ‘the plant’s mechanism of attracting butterflies’. The other sense refers to cause or law process, as in ‘the mechanism of heredity’. In his work on evolution, Charles Darwin showed that organisms are produced by a mechanism in the second sense, although he never used this language. He also discussed contrivance, where he did use the language of mecha…Read more
    There are two main senses of ‘mechanism’, both deriving from the metaphor of nature as a machine. One sense refers to contrivance or design, as in ‘the plant’s mechanism of attracting butterflies’. The other sense refers to cause or law process, as in ‘the mechanism of heredity’. In his work on evolution, Charles Darwin showed that organisms are produced by a mechanism in the second sense, although he never used this language. He also discussed contrivance, where he did use the language of mechanism. This discussion relates metaphor in general and Darwin’s use of the machine metaphor in particular to the problem of the nature of science, concluding that one use of the metaphor reinforces the objective nature of science and the other use reinforces the subjective nature of science
    Science, Logic, and MathematicsPhilosophy of Biology
  •  7
    Russell Vannoy, Sex Without Love—A Philosophical Exploration Reviewed by (review)
    Philosophy in Review 1 (1): 48-52. 1981.
  •  71
    Frederick Burkhardt;, James A. Secord;, Janet Browne;, Samantha Evans;, Shelley Innes;, Alison M. Pearn;, Paul White . The Correspondence of Charles Darwin. Volume 19: 1871. xli + 1,062 pp., illus., table, bibl., index. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2012. £90
    Isis 104 (3): 622-624. 2013.
  • Biology
    In John Skorupski (ed.), The Routledge Companion to Ethics, Routledge. 2012.
  •  90
    The Possibility of Naturalism: A Philosophical Critique of the Contemporary Human Sciences. Roy Bhaskar
    Isis 72 (3): 493-495. 1981.
    History of Science
  •  445
    Moral Philosophy as Applied Science
    with Edward O. Wilson
    Philosophy 61 (236): 173-192. 1986.
    (1) For much of this century, moral philosophy has been constrained by the supposed absolute gap between is andought, and the consequent belief that the facts of life cannot of themselves yield an ethical blueprint for future action. For this reason, ethics has sustained an eerie existence largely apart from science. Its most respected interpreters still believe that reasoning about right and wrong can be successful without a knowledge of the brain, the human organ where all the decisions about …Read more
    (1) For much of this century, moral philosophy has been constrained by the supposed absolute gap between is andought, and the consequent belief that the facts of life cannot of themselves yield an ethical blueprint for future action. For this reason, ethics has sustained an eerie existence largely apart from science. Its most respected interpreters still believe that reasoning about right and wrong can be successful without a knowledge of the brain, the human organ where all the decisions about right and wrong are made. Ethical premises are typically treated in the manner of mathematical propositions: directives supposedly independent of human evolution, with a claim to ideal, eternal truth.
    Evolution of Morality
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