Evolution and human nature

Everyone agrees that the nature/nurture dichotomy is a false one. Yet, there is a stubborn tendency both in everyday speech and in scientific discourse to retain these categories. For example, behaviours are often categorized as either innate or learned, or as either biological or cultural. This project investigates how and why people employ these categories, and proposes strategies for transcending them.  

  Models and concepts in ecology and conservation

This projects investigates the role of theory in ecology and conservation.  In particular I am interested in the various ways that models are employed as tools in ecological science, and how this practice is shaped by both the nature of its subject matter and by socio-political factors. A related project  explores  alternative conceptions of biodiversity, and the way that they are tailored to particular epistemic and normative goals.



      

EVOLUTION OF THE EMOTIONS

MODELS IN  ECOLOGY

BIODIVERSITY

HUMAN NATURE & INNATENESS