Science & Education: Thematic Journal Issue 
Philosophical Considerations in the Teaching of Biology

Over the past few decades, in research articles, anthologies, and books,
philosophers have provided increased understanding about the methods,
methodology and conceptual structure of Biology. This notwithstanding,
there are many questions about which there is lively debate. This active
intellectual field can make useful contributions to central topics in
biology education: e.g. the nature of explanation, clarifications of
central concepts (gene, adaptation, fitness), the logic of science, what
constitutes scientific evidence, the reducibility of biological
explanations etc. It is therefore important that science educators,
biology teachers, and curriculum writers are aware of the current trends
in philosophy of biology.

Researchers working on areas related to the philosophy of biology and/or
what it may contribute to the teaching of biology are invited to
contribute to this thematic issue.  Conceptual, theoretical, empirical
or position-based manuscripts are welcome. Examples of topics may
include (but are not limited to) the following:
 
•	Biology and ethics
•	Biology and religion
•	Biology and society
•	Chance 
•	Conceptual change
•	Development
•	Ecology
•	Evidence
•	Evolution
•	Evolutionary psychology
•	Explanation
•	Function
•	Genetics
•	Genomics
•	Human nature
•	Laws and theories
•	Macroevolution
•	Metaphysics
•	Microevolution
•	Origin of life
•	Reductionism
•	Taxonomy 
 
A number of prominent scholars are contributing invited essays. These include: 

•	John Beatty, University of British Columbia: The Significance of Chance Variation
•	Ingo Brigandt, University of Alberta: Explanation in Biology
•	Richard Burian, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University: Gene Concepts
•	John Dupré, University of Exeter: Genomics
•	Patrick Forber, Tufts University: Adaptation and Adaptationism
•	James Lennox, University of Pittsburgh: Biological Teleology: History and Theory
•	Alan Love, University of Minnesota: Evolutionary Developmental Biology (Evo-Devo)
•	Thomas Reydon, Leibniz Universität Hannover: Biological Classification
•	Michael Ruse, Florida State University: Current Status of the Philosophy of Biology

Submission Date: December 31, 2010 

Manuscripts, with Abstract, should be submitted for review direct to:
http://www.editorialmanager.com/sced/

Notification of intention to submit and subject matter is appreciated as
it assists coordination and planning of the issue. Questions and
inquires should be directed to the guest editor:

Kostas Kampourakis
Geitonas School, Athens, GREECE
email: kkamp@ath.forthnet.gr ; kamp@geitonas-school.gr 

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