Reviews
Presenting a critical overview of functional morphological research as applied to human evolution, Daegling adopts an approach steeped in the philosophy of science to provide a broad view of what functional morphologists are trying to do, what crucial (and often tacit or even unconscious) assumptions they make, and ultimately whether they are actually able to answer the questions they seek to address. As a practitioner in this type of research and a participant in some of the debates that have arisen, Daegling raises many thought-provoking points. An original, up-to-date, and very substantial contribution to the field.
Functional inference in paleontology writ large—but especially in paleoanthropology—is a tough topic that needed to be tackled by an experienced and respected researcher with substantial intellectual firepower. Dave Daegling is a thoughtful and uncompromising scientist who satisfies all three of these criteria. This book will become a go-to volume for researchers and students alike.
Book Details
Preface
Chapter 1. Unresolved Problems in Human Evolution
Chapter 2. Situating Functional Morphology in Evolutionary Biology
Chapter 3. Approaches to Functional Inference in Paleoanthropology
Chapter 4
Preface
Chapter 1. Unresolved Problems in Human Evolution
Chapter 2. Situating Functional Morphology in Evolutionary Biology
Chapter 3. Approaches to Functional Inference in Paleoanthropology
Chapter 4. Bipedality
Chapter 5. Hominin Dietary Adaptations
Chapter 6. The Osteocyte Perspective on Human Evolution
Chapter 7. Teleonomy Revisited
Notes
References
Index