Aristotle to Zoos. A Philosophical Dictionary of Biology

The Medawars explain that their "philosophical dictionary of biology" is in spirit the biological companion to Voltaire's Philosophical Dictionary. At times the wit, insight, and humanism in these brief essays meet the challenge. At other times, however, the dictionary format constrains the authors to writing long definitions. The Medawars preface this book by suggesting that it is intended for browsing. The selective browser taking this advice will be richly rewarded by some excellent "definitions." He will learn that "senescence is essentially an artifact of domestication" and will be privy to a unique conversation between a parrot and a child who was "elated at the thought that she was now on speaking terms with a parrot." The narrow-minded and vain will find nothing laudable in this dictionary. The Medawars mix their science with a humanist perspective which is both insightful and sharp. For the racist: "Congenital abnormalities generally offer no comfort to racists because some are more frequent, others less so, in black than in comparable white populations." For the egotistical Homo sapiens: "It cannot be said that the study of the sociology of apes has thrown a flood of light on the social structures of man. Rather, it is the other way around; the social state of man provides valuable clues about what to look for among the apes." Even the hypocrisies of the animal breeder and proud show-dog owner are exposed: "Many of the people that condone or even applaud these malpractices [breeding show dogs] arrogate to themselves the title of dog lover and are among the loudest in denouncing the use of animals in medical research." The Medawars consider biological topics, yet their writing never lets the reader forget that the authors are humanists first, scientists second. Their skillful blend of biology and humanism gives their collection of definitions its strength and charm. The unselective browser, unfortunately, will find many definitions which clutter the dictionary. One is hard pressed to say something humanistic or witty or insightful about a centrifuge. The idea of a "philosophical dictionary of biology" covering Aristotle to Zoos is intriguing. Although the Medawars have produced a good book, one feels that their talents, seen in many of their "definitions," would have been better expressed in a collection of longer essays, or perhaps in a shorter, incomplete dictionary.