THE ANT AND THE PEACOCK by Helena Cronin, John Maynard Smith (Foreword) ( 9780521457651 )

Item Details

Title:

THE ANT AND THE PEACOCK
ALTRUISM AND SEXUAL SELECTION FROM DARWIN TO TODAY

By:

Helena Cronin, John Maynard Smith (Foreword)

Format:

Paperback

List price:

£30.99

Our price:

£27.89

Discount:

10% off

You save:

£3.10

ISBN 10:

0521457653

ISBN 13:

9780521457651

Availability:

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Publisher:

CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS

Pub. date:

19 September, 1993

Pages:

508

Description:

An enthralling account of the arguments about altruism and sexual selection raging since Darwin's day.

Synopsis:

This book is a success story. It explains two long-running puzzles of the theory of natural selection. How can natural selection favour those, like the ant, that renounce tooth and claw in favour of the public-spirited ways of the commune? How can it explain the peacock's tail, flamboyant and a burden to its bearer; surely selection would act against useless ornamentation? Helena Cronin's enthralling account blends history, science and philosophy in a gripping tale that is scholarly, entertaining and eminently readable. The hardback edition was selected by Nature as one of the best scientific books in 1992. Also the New York Times chose it as one of their best books of 1992. The author divides her time between the Philosophy Department at the London School of Economics and the Zoology Department at Oxford.

Illustrations:

12 b/w illus. 2 tables

Publication:

Imprint:

Cambridge University Press

Returns:

Returnable

Some other items by this author:

DARWINISM (HB)

EVOLUTION AND THE THEORY OF GAMES

EVOLUTION AND THE THEORY OF GAMES (HB)

EVOLUTION AND THE THEORY OF GAMES (PB)