The Ant and the Peacock: Altruism and Sexual Selection from Darwin to Today
by Helena Cronin
On This Page
Description
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, show more 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. show lessTags
Recommendations
Member Reviews
Members
- Recently Added By
Author Information
2+ Works 138 Members
Awards and Honors
Distinctions
Work Relationships
Is abridged in
Common Knowledge
- Canonical title*
- Il pavone e la formica: selezione sessuale e altruismo da Darwin a oggi
- Original title
- The Ant and the Peacock: Altruism and Sexual Selection from Darwin to Today
*Some information comes from Common Knowledge in other languages. Click "Edit" for more information.
Classifications
Statistics
- Members
- 134
- Popularity
- 239,837
- Rating
- (3.60)
- Languages
- English, Italian
- Media
- Paper
- ISBNs
- 4
- ASINs
- 1
