1.

Record Nr.

UNINA9910777463703321

Autore

Pickett Steward T. <1950->

Titolo

Ecological understanding [[electronic resource] ] : the nature of theory and the theory of nature / / Steward T.A. Pickett, Jurek Kolasa, and Clive G. Jones

Pubbl/distr/stampa

Amsterdam ; ; Boston, : Elsevier/Academic Press, c2007

ISBN

1-281-30729-7

9786611307295

0-08-054604-8

Edizione

[2nd ed.]

Descrizione fisica

1 online resource (244 p.)

Altri autori (Persone)

KolasaJurek

JonesClive G

Disciplina

577

Soggetti

Ecology - Philosophy

Ecology - Methodology

Lingua di pubblicazione

Inglese

Formato

Materiale a stampa

Livello bibliografico

Monografia

Note generali

Description based upon print version of record.

Nota di bibliografia

Includes bibliographical references (p. 207-223) and index.

Nota di contenuto

Front cover; Ecological Understanding: The Nature of Theory and the Theory of Nature, Second Edition; Copyright page; Table of contents; PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION; PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION; Part I: Advancing the Discipline and Enhancing Applications; Chapter 1: Integration in Ecology; I. Overview; II. Ecological Advances and Diversity of Ecology; III. Progress via Integration; IV. Integration, Understanding, and Theory; V. What an Integrated Ecology Might Look Like; VI. Conclusions and Prospects; Chapter 2: Understanding in Ecology; I. Overview

II. The Nature of Scientific UnderstandingIII. Toward Understanding; IV. Conclusions and Prospects; Part II: The Nature of Theory; Chapter 3: The Anatomy of Theory; I. Overview; II. Theory and Its Conceptual Foundation; III. The Basic Conceptual Content of Theory; IV. Theory and Its Empirical Content; V. Theory and Its Derived Conceptual Content; VI. Theory Frameworks and Structure; VII. Conclusions and Prospects; Chapter 4: The Ontogeny of Theory; I. Overview; II. Why Theory Change Is Important; III. How Theories Change; IV. Theory Maturity; V. Conclusions and Prospects



Chapter 5: The Taxonomy of TheoryI. Overview; II. The Bases of Taxonomy; III. Understanding and Diversity of Theory; IV. Examples of the Classification of Theories and Models; V. Conclusions and Prospects; Part III: From Theory to Integration and Application; Chapter 6: Fundamental Questions: Changes in Understanding; I. Overview; II. Theory and Change in Understanding; III. Examples of Fundamental Questions; IV. All Fundamental Questions Are Not Created Equal; V. Where Do Radically New Theories Come From?; VI. Conclusions and Prospects; Chapter 7: Integration and Synthesis; I. Overview

II. IntegrationIII. Questions for Integration; IV. Radical Integration and Paradigms; V. Theory as a Constraint on Integration across Paradigms: New Fundamental Questions; VI. Theory as a Constraint on Integration across Paradigms; VII. Conclusions and Prospects; Part IV: Theory and Its Environment; Chapter 8: Constraint and Objectivity in Ecological Integration; I. Overview; II. Sociological Constraints on Integration; III. Societal Constraints on Integration; IV. Scientific Objectivity and Changes in Paradigm; V. Integration and Paradigms Affecting the Whole of Ecology

VI. Conclusions and ProspectsChapter 9: Ecological Understanding and the Public; I. Overview; II. Scientific versus Public Concepts of Theory; III. Certainty and Belief in Science; IV. Judging Science in the Public Sphere; V. The State of Public Knowledge of Ecology; VI. Rights and Responsibilities in Ecological Understanding; VII. What It All Means; LITERATURE CITED; INDEX

Sommario/riassunto

This widely anticipated revision of the groundbreaking book, Ecological Understanding, updates this crucial sourcebook of contemporary philosophical insights for practicing ecologists and graduate students in ecology and environmental studies.  The second edition contains new ecological examples, an expanded array of conceptual diagrams and illustrations, new text boxes summarizing important points or defining key terms, and new reference to philosophical issues and controversies.  Although the first edition was recognized for its clarity, this revision takes the opportunity to make the exposi