Evolutionary restraints : the contentious history of group selection /

Evolutionary Restraints discusses the history and debate about group selection, focusing on the contributions of British naturalist Vero Copner Wynne-Edwards. Wynne-Edwards argued that group selection permits animals to regulate their population levels and avoid overexploitation of food supplies and other resources. Group selection assumes that natural selection occurs at a level above the level of the individual and is key to social organization, altruistic behavior, and perhaps the evolution of intellect and morality. Borrello (history of science, Univ. of Minnesota) indicates that most biologists acknowledge multiple levels of natural selection: genes, traits, organisms, families, groups, and even species. However, later on, he concedes that most biologists remain unconvinced by Wynne-Edwards's formulation of group selection, noting the strong opposition of biologists such as David Lack and George C. Williams and such philosophers/historians of biology as Michael Ruse. At the same time, the author maintains, there is a greater acceptance of a hierarchical approach to evolutionary theory. He also discusses the role of ideology in the debate over group selection. This book is a fascinating study, with special appeal to historians and philosophers of biology. Summing Up; Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates and above. J. S. Schwartz emeritus, CUNY College of Staten Island