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What's Left of Human Nature?: A Post-Essentialist, Pluralist, and Interactive Account of a Contested Concept (Life and Mind: Philosophical Issues in Biology and Psychology)
by Maria KronfeldnerA philosophical account of human nature that defends the concept against dehumanization, Darwinian, and developmentalist challenges.Human nature has always been a foundational issue for philosophy. What does it mean to have a human nature? Is the concept the relic of a bygone age? What is the use of such a concept? What are the epistemic and ontological commitments people make when they use the concept? In What's Left of Human Nature? Maria Kronfeldner offers a philosophical account of human nature that defends the concept against contemporary criticism. In particular, she takes on challenges related to social misuse of the concept that dehumanizes those regarded as lacking human nature (the dehumanization challenge); the conflict between Darwinian thinking and essentialist concepts of human nature (the Darwinian challenge); and the consensus that evolution, heredity, and ontogenetic development result from nurture and nature.After answering each of these challenges, Kronfeldner presents a revisionist account of human nature that minimizes dehumanization and does not fall back on outdated biological ideas. Her account is post-essentialist because it eliminates the concept of an essence of being human; pluralist in that it argues that there are different things in the world that correspond to three different post-essentialist concepts of human nature; and interactive because it understands nature and nurture as interacting at the developmental, epigenetic, and evolutionary levels. On the basis of this, she introduces a dialectical concept of an ever-changing and “looping” human nature. Finally, noting the essentially contested character of the concept and the ambiguity and redundancy of the terminology, she wonders if we should simply eliminate the term “human nature” altogether.
What's My Cat Thinking?: Understand Your Cat to Give Them a Happy Life
by Jo LewisHave you ever wondered why your cats behave the way they do? This authoritative guide has all the answers! Cats are weird, and sometimes their behavior can leave you scratching your head. Discover what&’s really behind those things cats do – whether they&’re amusing, irritating or just downright bizarre.What&’s My Cat Thinking will help cat lovers unlock the secret code of cats for a deeper connection with the feline in your life. Inside, you&’ll find: • Accurate descriptions of behavior will help you understand your cat&’s body language nuances and act accordingly. • Covers a range of breeds. • A fun book for cat people that delivers practical, helpful advice from acknowledged experts on a range of tricky or puzzling cat behaviors. Have you ever wondered why your cat sleeps on your keyboard, why they bully the dog or why they insist on drinking from the bathroom tap — or if they even like you? Cats (unlike the dogs they look down on) are not always easy to understand. This cat psychology book will show you that they do show their feelings, albeit subtly, in the way they relate to you, other animals and their home environment. Stunning illustrations of a wide range of breeds and informative text will help you understand your cat's body language, so you know when they are happy and when they aren&’t! Aside from learning to understand your cat, this guide includes &“catwatching&” spreads that provide helpful tips and advice on dealing with some common kitty challenges like moving home and introducing a new cat into the family. So when they are sitting on your head at 4 a.m., you will at least know why!
What's New? The Zoo!: A Zippy History of Zoos
by Kathleen KrullWith friendly facts, funny pictures, and animals galore, What's New? The Zoo! is history to roar for!Did you know . . . * The first zoo was established forty-three hundred years ago in what is now Iraq?* Aztec King Moctezuma II had such an incredible collection of animals that it took six hundred men and women to care for them?* Children across Great Britain wrote to Queen Victoria when Jumbo the elephant was sold away from the London Zoo?* Fifty buffalo passed through Grand Central Station in 1907 on their way to the Bronx Zoo?* Zoos now play a crucial role in animal conservation?Kathleen Krull and Marcellus Hall bring witty insight, jazzy style, and a globe-trotting eye to our millennia-long history of keeping animals -- and the ways animals have changed us in turn.
What's Next? Dispatches on the Future of Science
by Max BrockmanIn 'What's Next?', 18 young scientists present the futuristic ideas they are pursuing that just might change the way we look at the world, even the way we live. From climate change to cutting-edge physics, from hard-wired morality to modifying our brains or even our genome, 'What's Next?' will give its readers a head start on comprehending what may well be in store for all of us in the next few decades.
The Whats of a Scientific Life (Global Science Education)
by John HelliwellThis book completes a scientific life trilogy of books following on from the Hows (i.e. skills) and the Whys is now the Whats of a scientific life. Starting with just what is science, then on to what is physics, what is chemistry and what is biology the book discusses career situations in terms of types of obstacles faced. There follow examples of what science has achieved as well as plans and opportunities. The contexts for science are dependencies of science on mathematics, how science cuts across disciplines, and the importance of engineering and computer software. What science is as a process is that it is distinctly successful in avoiding or dealing with failures. Most recently a radical change in what is science is the merger of the International Council of Scientific Unions and the International Social Sciences Council. Key Features: Dissects what is science and its contexts Provides wide ranging case studies of science and discovery based directly on the author’s many decades in science The author has outstanding experience in mentoring and career development, and also in outreach activities for the public and students of all ages The world of science today involves a merger of ‘the sciences’ and the ‘social sciences’
What's Older Than a Giant Tortoise?
by Robert E WellsIf medals were awarded to animals for living a long time, then a giant tortoise would certainly win one. Some giant tortoises have lived for more than 150 years! Still, there are things on this planet much older than giant tortoises. Some of the giant sequoia trees that grow in California would be more than 3,000 years old. But the trees aren't that old compared to the Barringer Crater in Arizona--that was made about 49,000 years ago. And it's almost impossible to imagine that 65 million years ago, the T. rex dinosaur roamed this planet--but we have the skeletons to prove it!
What's On The Food Chain Menu? (My Science Library)
by Julie LundgrenIntermediate Readers Explore Who's Eating Who And Where.
What's Out There? A Book About Space (Reading Railroad)
by Lynn WilsonWhat is the sun made of? What causes night and day? Why does the moon change shape? An easy-to-understand text bring planets, stars, comets, and the wondrous things out there in space right down to earth in a simple introduction to the solar system for young armchair astronauts.
What's Smaller Than a Pygmy Shrew?
by Robert E WellsA pygmy shrew is among the tiniest of mammals. A ladybug is even smaller. But in this book you will find small things you could not ordinarily see.
What's So Good About Biodiversity?: A Call for Better Reasoning About Nature's Value
by Donald S. MaierThere has been a deluge of material on biodiversity, starting from a trickle back in the mid-1980's. However, this book is entirely unique in its treatment of the topic. It is unique in its meticulously crafted, scientifically informed, philosophical examination of the norms and values that are at the heart of discussions about biodiversity. And it is unique in its point of view, which is the first to comprehensively challenge prevailing views about biodiversity and its value. According to those dominant views, biodiversity is an extremely good thing - so good that it has become the emblem of natural value. The book's broader purpose is to use biodiversity as a lens through which to view the nature of natural value. It first examines, on their own terms, the arguments for why biodiversity is supposed to be a good thing. This discussion cuts a very broad and detailed swath through the scientific, economic, and environmental literature. It finds all these arguments to be seriously wanting. Worse, these arguments appear to have consequences that should dismay and perplex most environmentalists. The book then turns to a deeper analysis of these failures and suggests that they result from posing value questions from within a framework that is inappropriate for nature's value. It concludes with a novel suggestion for framing natural value. This new proposal avoids the pitfalls of the ones that prevail in the promotion of biodiversity. And it exposes the goals of conservation biology, restoration biology, and the world's largest conservation organizations as badly ill-conceived.
What's that Edison Boy Up to Now?
by Ruth Spencer JohnsonWhen Thomas Edison was a boy, he loved performing experiments and coming up with new inventions. His curiosity sometimes got him in trouble, though, like when he accidentally burned down his dad’s barn! By the time he turned 12, he had found ways to make a living by learning how to print newspapers and send telegraphs in Detroit, Michigan. Imagine what he did as an adult!
What's that Flower?: A Beginner's Guide to Wildflowers (DK What's That?)
by DKStop and smell the roses with this delightful flower spotter guide.Know your geraniums from your pansies! This beautiful flower identification book features over 150 flower species found east of the Mississippi along with a simple, visual approach to help you tell them apart with absolute ease.With its compact, portable format, this nature book is designed for ease of use anywhere — ideal for nature lovers everywhere. Here&’s what&’s inside: • Similar flower species are shown together for quick comparison and identification • Fully-illustrated introductions explain the basics of flower identification — what to look for and how to tell the difference between similar wildflower species or specimens • Overview pages on main features give readers more detailed information on how to make an accurate identification • The at-a-glance finder section at the back shows thumbnails of the species grouped in an intuitive way for ease of reference Calling all flower enthusiasts! Are you interested in identifying the wildflowers you encounter on your walks along the coast or in the mountains, woodlands or fields? Look no further than What's That Flower? Authoritative text, beautiful photographs and detailed illustrations show different parts of the flower — from the stem to the petals. Flower type overviews show you what to look for where and similar flowers are shown side by side for quick comparison and identification. It's the perfect flower encyclopedia for beginners, but also a handy reference guide for the more seasoned flower lovers.
What's That Sound? (Science Solves It!)
by Mary LawrenceSolve kid-sized dilemmas and mysteries with the Science Solves It! series. These fun books for kids ages 5–8 blend clever stories with real-life science. Why did the dog turn green? Can you control a hiccup? Is that a UFO? Find the answers to these questions and more as kid characters dive into physical, life, and earth sciences. Two weeks in the country—it&’s the perfect summer getaway for Amy and Tim&’s family. But the house looks haunted, and they hear spooky sounds everywhere. Creaks and squeaks, rattles and rumbles. Could Amy and Tim be sharing their summer spot with a ghost? Books in this perfect STEM series will help kids think like scientists and get ahead in the classroom. Activities and experiments are included in every book! (Level One; Science topic: Sound)
What's that Tree?: A Beginner's Guide (DK What's That?)
by DKLearn more about the beautiful trees around you with this identification guide, perfect for beginners, featuring over 150 common tree species. If you want to know the difference between a Serbian spruce and a silver birch or how different trees change through the seasons then What&’s that Tree? is the ideal guide for you. Species overviews show you what to look for where and related trees are shown side by side for quick comparison and identification.Clear photography of leaves will help you to directly compare the tree you&’re looking at with those in the guide and will assist you with specific features of the leaf to help identify the tree. This quick-reference guide also includes information on bark, flowers, and seeds. The perfect pocket guide for beginners but also a handy reference for the more seasoned naturalist, What&’s that Tree? will help you to become an expert tree-spotter in no time.
What's the BIG Idea?: Amazing Science Questions for the Curious Kid
by Vicki CobbWhy don't we feel the Earth move? Why does an ice cube float? Why can't you unscramble an egg? Why can't we live forever? These are all questions that a curious kid might ask. In What's the BIG Idea?, renowned juvenile science educator Vicki Cobb answers these and other fascinating questions to help kids learn more about the world through the wonders of science.A big idea is one that has no simple or easy answer, and there are four big ideas in this book: motion, energy, matter, and life. The motion of nonliving objects--rolling balls, falling stones, the moon and stars--seems so ordinary and familiar that most people take it for granted. Matter, on the other hand, comes in so many different forms--solids, liquids, gases, metals, nonmetals, living material--that it is hard to imagine anything that all matter has in common. Energy is an idea that is in the news just about every day, yet most people couldn't tell you what the big idea of energy is. And life--what life is--seems mind-boggling and infinitely complicated. How do we bend our brains around it?Scientists learn by asking questions. And this book, now in paperback, is designed to make young readers stop and think about each of the questions before reading what scientists have learned that answers each question. They'll be able to do simple things to see for themselves, and they will build their own scientific knowledge in the process. By the time they've finished this book, they'll get the big picture of what science is all about.
What's the Big Idea?
by Tracey TurnerHave you ever wondered what capitalism is? How about feminism, ecology, epidemiology or astronomy? Well, this book will give you straightforward, easy-to-understand answers to all your troublesome-word questions WITHOUT going on and on for ages OR using even BIGGER words to explain them. Informative, bite-sized explanations alongside beautiful, eye-catching illustrations will help readers aged 8+ understand crucial concepts, giving them the power to take part in the most important conversations on the planet. Perfect for inquisitive minds, this book will appeal to fans of Goodnight Stories for Rebel Girls, Big Ideas for Curious Minds and beyond.More than 100 big words and ideas, simply explained.
What's the Difference?
by Amy TaoIt's easy to tell the difference between a mouse and a bear. But some animals are harder to tell apart—unless you know what to look for.
What's the Matter?: A Physical Science Unit for High-Ability Learners in Grades 2-3
by Clg Of William And Mary/Ctr Gift EdWhat's the Matter? is a field-tested physical science unit for high-ability learners in grades 2-3. In this unit, students work on solving real-world scenarios by using their newly discovered knowledge of matter, the measurement of matter, and change in physical properties. At the end of this 15-lesson unit, students present their data in a classroom “science conference.”What's the Matter?, a Project Clarion Primary Science Unit, utilizes a hands-on, constructivist approach that allows children to build their knowledge base and skills while they explore science topics through play and planned investigations. The overarching concept of change is used to deepen understanding of the scientific concepts in the unit.Winner of the 2010 NAGC Curriculum Studies Award, What's the Matter? was developed by the Center for Gifted Education at The College of William and Mary, to offer advanced curriculum supported by years of research. The Center's materials have received national recognition from the United States Department of Education and the National Association for Gifted Children, and they are widely used both nationally and internationally.Each of the books in this series offers curriculum that focuses on advanced content and higher level processes. The science units contain simulations of real-world problems, and students experience the work of real science by using data-handling skills, analyzing information, and evaluating results. The mathematics units provide sophisticated ideas and concepts, challenging extensions, higher order thinking skills, and opportunities for student exploration based on interest. These materials are a must for any teacher seeking to challenge and engage learners and increase achievement.Grades 2-3
What's the Point of Science? (DK What's the Point of?)
by DKFind out about the wonderful world of scientific discovery, how science works and why it has changed the world.Turn boredom into awe! Learn about the most notable scientists in history, scientific discoveries, and the answers to your questions about biology, chemistry and physics. This illustrated science book is packed with stories and hand-drawn graphics that will make science fun! Wondering where science started and how scientists solve centuries-old mysteries? Inside this science book, you&’ll find: • Each main topic features a discovery or breakthrough presented as an illustrated story. • Real-world examples of modern science and technology bring the story up to date, and make each topic relevant. • Occasional timeline spreads reveal how scientific ideas have evolved. • &“Try it out&” boxes show readers how to carry out hands-on science activities at home or at school. • Amazing facts and stories keep the tone light and entertaining. • Timeline spreads show scientific development in a specific field over the ages. Discover the amazing humans who challenged the thinking of their time and put their lives at risk to learn about everything on the planet — and in space! Understand why science matters so much, and the incredible places it will take us in the future. This illustrated science reference guide will intrigue and inspire children ages 9-12 to love science, and to marvel at the world around them.Students will learn how science is practical and applicable to the real world, and helps to solve everyday problems through the stories and discoveries of notable scientists. The easy-to-follow format explores the origins of science and answers important questions like how the universe started, how to build a pyramid, how to save a life, how to capture lightning and even how to live on Mars. The answers and stories in this scientific book will change the way children think about science forever!DK&’s What&’s the Point? series is packed with surprising facts, tales of ingenuity and endeavor, and beautiful, unique illustrations. Each book in the series includes crazy facts, quizzes and puzzles. Look out for What's the Point of Maths? to encourage young students to find fun in their math homework!
What's the Use?: How Mathematics Shapes Everyday Life
by Ian StewartSee the world in a completely new way as an esteemed mathematician shows how math powers the world—from technology to health care and beyond. Almost all of us have sat in a math class, wondering when we'd ever need to know how to find the roots of a polynomial or graph imaginary numbers. And in one sense, we were right: if we needed to, we'd use a computer. But as Ian Stewart argues in What's the Use?, math isn't just about boring computations. Rather, it offers us new and profound insights into our world, allowing us to accomplish feats as significant as space exploration and organ donation. From the trigonometry that keeps a satellite in orbit to the prime numbers used by the world's most advanced security systems to the imaginary numbers that enable augmented reality, math isn't just relevant to our lives. It is the very fabric of our existence.
What's These Worlds Coming To? (Forms of Living)
by Jean-Luc Nancy David Pettigrew Aurélien Barrau Flor Méchain Travis HollowayOur contemporary challenge, according to Jean-Luc Nancy and Aurelien Barrau, is that a new world has stolen up on us. We no longer live in a world, but in worlds. We do not live in a universe anymore, but rather in a multiverse. We no longer create; we appropriate and montage. And we no longer build sovereign, hierarchical political institutions; we form local assemblies and networks of cross-national assemblages— and we do this at the same time as we form multinational corporations that no longer pay taxes to the state. In such a time, one of the world’s most eminent philosophers and an emerging astrophysicist return to the ancient art of cosmology. Nancy and Barrau’s work is a study of life, plural worlds, and what the authors call the struction or rebuilding of these worlds. Nancy and Barrau invite us on an uncharted walk into barely known worlds when an everyday French idiom, “What’s this world coming to?,” is used to question our conventional thinking about the world. We soon find ourselves living among heaps of odd bits and pieces that are amassing without any unifying force or center, living not only in a time of ruin and fragmentation but in one of rebuilding. Astrophysicist Aurelien Barrau articulates a major shift in the paradigm of contemporary physics from a universe to a multiverse. Meanwhile, Jean-Luc Nancy’s essay “Of Struction” is a contemporary comment on the project of deconstruction and French poststructuralist thought. Together Barrau and Nancy argue that contemporary thought has shifted from deconstruction to what they carefully call the struction of dis-order.
What's Wrong With Being a Skunk?
by Miriam SchleinFrom the book jacket: Did you know that despite his bad reputation, the skunk is really a playful, good-natured fellow? Did you know that skunks are so helpful to farmers that in one state they are protected by law? Did you know that one variety-the Spotted skunk-can climb trees? In this lively, informative book, young readers will discover some surprising things about an often misunderstood animal. They'll also learn when and how the skunk uses his famous protective weapon, who his enemies are, what he eats, where he sleeps, how he builds his home, what his mating habits are, and how baby skunks grow to adulthood. The author explains why skunks have stripes, and presents vivid descriptions of different types of skunks -the Striped skunk, the Spotted skunk, the Hog-Nosed skunk, and even an animal that looks and actslike a skunk but is not even a member of the same family. The delightful illustrations enliven the text and help to satisfy any young child's curiosity about one of our most common-and most unusual-animals. miriam schlein is the author of many children's books, including The Rabbit's World (published by Four Winds Press), Moon Months and Sun Days, The Big Cheese, and Go With the Sun. She lives in Westport, Connecticut. ray cruz has illustrated Horrible Hepzibah and Where Do I Belong? A native of New York City, Mr. Cruz received his art training at the Pratt Institute and Cooper Union in New York.
What's Your Baby's Poo Telling You?: A Bottoms-Up Guide to Your Baby's Health
by Anish Sheth Josh RichmanThe bestselling authors of What's Your Poo Telling You? focus their expertise on diaper deposits. Babies poop, but--unlike infants themselves--those bowel movements can speak volumes about the baby's health.<P><P> In the tradition of their more than 500,000-copy bestseller What's Your Poo Telling You? Josh Richman and Dr. Anish Sheth use humor and fascinating insights to help decipher babies' digestive quirks, covering everything from the womb to potty training, including:Black is the norm for a newborn's poop, and yellow, seedy poop is a result of breast-feeding.Why it is a good (and bad) idea to let your kid walk around without a diaper.Milk doesn't always do a body good. In fact, there is such a thing as too much milk.How to deal with "the dreaded Poonami."Special "survival tips" to help new parents get through the barrage of bodily waste coming their way.A four-color "Poo Poo Platter" palette on the endpapers for easy referenceNew and expecting parents everywhere will be consulting What's Your Baby's Poo Telling You? before they toss those dirty diapers.
What's Your Type? How Blood Types are the Keys to Unlocking Your Personality
by Peter Constantine"Using research developed in the past three decades, personality psychologists have discovered an essential genetic connection between your blood type and your behavior, needs, and abilities. Now this groundbreaking book - the first of its kind - helps you understand and analyze the extraordinary influence your blood type has on your life." "In What's Your Type? discover the blood type that characterizes a person who is clear-thinking and calm, and able to take charge of a situation; the blood type that links society's most ambitious entrepreneurs, great engineers, and dedicated religious leaders; the blood group that carries traits of grace, sociability, and emotional depth; and the blood type shared by many creative artists and performers."--BOOK JACKET. Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Wheat: Chemistry and Utilization
by Hugh Cornell Albert W. Hoveling"This book meets the need for a comprehensive, up-to-date review of wheat chemistry, processing and uses. It provides the reader with extensive new information on wheat components that will be useful in better commercial utilization of wheat and the formulation of new and upgraded wheat-based food products. The book serves as a one-volume information resource for all those involved in the research, development, formulation, and evaluation of wheat-based food products. From the Authors' PrefaceWheat continues to be one of the world's most important grains, especially as a food, where the unique properties of its products can be utilized to advantage. It provides an excellent example of a natural product from which a wide range of useful by-products can be made. This book discusses the components of the wheat kernel, which provide interesting examples of study of carbohydrate and protein chemistry, as well as lipids, minerals and vitamins. This book should serve as a useful reference for the cereal chemist, as well as chemists and food technologists in those industries in which by-products of flour are used, e.g., the confectionery industry in which modified starches and starch syrups are used. In addition, nutritionists, dieticians, and many kinds of researchers will find chapters of interest. Particular attention is given to particle-size determinations, an important area in food processing, and to the role of wheat proteins in gluten intolerance and wheat allergy. . . . Both the milling of wheat and flour quality are discussed in order to give the reader an idea of the distribution of the major components and the importance of proper size reduction. The book also has a chapter on wet milling of wheat flour . . . and chapters on the properties and uses of wheat starch, starch syrups, and chemically modified wheat starch.