Conservation Biology: A Confluence of Naturalist and Experimentalist Approaches to Biological Science

该项目开始在哲学的探索性研究 保护生物学的基础 它涉及仔细的审查 适当的哲学文献和生物学著作 生态系统稳定性与多样性的关系 保存。 两个相关的文件将产生;一个将讨论 鉴于其地位，价值观在保护生物学中的特殊作用 作为一门科学，有一个规定的目标，人们将检查， 评估“生态系统健康”的各种定义。the thesis 保护生物学需要 综合了实验主义者和自然主义者的观点 传统，并从哲学探索的作用， 科学的价值观，为了成功地实现其保护 和保护自然。 在三位顾问的协助下， 代表不同的生物学观点，研究人员 将研究应用最近的理论 方法-系统或等级理论-保护生物学。 对这种方法的哲学分析可以提供一个框架， 在其中满足规范性和客观性的参考 关注科学;它可能会让自然主义者的见解， 与实验者收集的科学数据相结合。 该项目由一个合格的和富有成效的 研究人员与适当的联系和支持的研究 他想研究的社区。 机构支持是 足够了。 结果可能会促进我们对 价值观在一般科学和保护生物学中的作用 特别是。 关于科学与人类的关系 和价值观之间的关系，以及科学、环境保护和 环境价值观是伦理学的重要内容， 科学、技术与社会价值研究。 鉴于 项目的优点，它具有高度优先支持。

This project begins exploratory research in the philosophical foundations of conservation biology. It involves careful review of the appropriate philosophical literature and of biological work on the relationship between stability and diversity for ecological preservation. Two related papers will result; one will discuss the special role of values in conservation biology, given its status as a science with a prescriptive goal, and one will examine and evaluate various definitions of "ecosystem health." The thesis that will be explored is that conservation biology will need to integrate insights from both its experimentalist and naturalist traditions, and from philosophical explorations of the role of values in science, in order to succeed in its goal of preserving and protecting nature. With the assistance of three advisors representing different biological perspectives, the investigator will examine the implications of applying a recent theoretical approach -- systems or heirarchy theory -- to conservation biology. Philosophical analysis of this approach may provide a frame of reference within which to satisfy both normative and objectivist concerns in science; it may allow insights from naturalists to be integrated with scientific data gathered by experimentalists. This project is undertaken by a well-qualified and productive researcher with appropriate contacts and support in the research communities he proposes to study. Institutional support is adequate. Results are likely to advance our understanding of the role of values in science in general, and in conservation biology in particular. Questions about the relationship between science and values, and between science, preservation of environment and environmental values are of considerable interest to Ethics and Values Studies in Science, Technology and Society. Given the project's merit, it has high priority for support.