This Is Biology

The Science of the Living World

Ernst Mayr

  • Winner of the Lewis Thomas Prize Honoring the Scientist as Poet
  • Short List, Poulenc Prize for Science Books

Guide to Topics Covered

Preface

What Is the Meaning of Life?

What Is Science?

How Does Science Explain the Natural World?

How Does Biology Explain the Living World?

Does Science Advance?

How Are the Life Sciences Structured?

"What?" Questions: The Study of Biodiversity

"How?" Questions: The Making of a New Individual

"Why?" Questions: The Evolution of Organisms

What Questions Does Ecology Ask?

Where Do Humans Fit into Evolution?

Can Evolution Account for Ethics?

Notes

Bibliography

Glossary

Guide to Topics Covered

Acknowledgments

Index

  • Cover: This Is Biology
  • A photo of the author

Ernst Mayr is Alexander Agassiz Professor of Zoology, Emeritus, at Harvard University. He is also the recipient of numerous honorary degrees and awards, including the Crafoord Prize for Biology, the National Medal of Science, the Balzan Prize, and the Japan Prize.