Evolution′s Eye

“[A] subtle . . . study of recent concepts in biology and social science. . . . [Oyama] wants to think—and to get us to think—about how culture, environment and genetic programming are constantly ‘talking to’ one another, and how it’s their interaction that creates us. It’s a worthy goal, and one her book should advance.” - Publishers Weekly

“[Oyama] offer[s] a wealth of thinking and argument that takes us beyond damaging dichotomies and views of organisms, to a fuller understanding of behavioral transmission and how we might better go about studying it.” - T. M. Freeberg , Ethology

“Oyama argues elegantly and provides myriad examples to illustrate the lack of an appreciation for the reciprocal relationship that exists between genetics and the environment. . . . Recommended for graduate students, researchers, and faculty seeking a fresh approach to this issue.” - M. Pilati , Choice

"Evolution's Eye is a book that should be read and reread by every biologist interested in the conceptual basis of her discipline. . . . [A] brilliant and eloquently written (Oyama's hallmark) continuation of the promising project that was initiated with [Ontogeny of Information]." - Pieter Lemmens , Acta Biotheoretica

"Evolution's Eye makes a number of . . . concepts widely available for inspection, and as such is a most welcome contribution to the literature on evolution and development." - Jason Scott Robert , Biology and Philosophy

"Oyama's proposal of developmental systems as the main agents of evolutionary process is worthy of reflection and further scrutiny." - Boguslaw Pawlowski, Journal of Biosocial Science

“Oyama writes elegantly and from a deep intellectual base. This alternative view to the dominant genetic determinism will be of interest to all who seek a more complex view of human nature. It is an excellent book, beautifully composed.” - Katherine Nelson, City University of New York

“Susan Oyama's Ontogeny of Information provided a navigational chart for researchers seeking to avoid the shoals of the nature-nurture dichotomy. Here, in Evolution's Eye, she good-humoredly unmasks the rhetorical stratagems of reflexive genecentrism, while continuing to strengthen the case for the integrative, multifocal approach of developmental systems theory.” - Helen E. Longino, University of Minnesota

“To think of nature and nurture as two distinct categories is not only wrong, Susan Oyama convincingly argues, but doing so hobbles our attempts to understand the nature of development and evolution at every level. Hers is a voice that needs to be heard.” - Evelyn Fox Keller, Massachusetts Institute of Technology