Most people, when they contemplate the living world, conclude that it is a designed place. So it is jarring when biologists come along and say this is all wrong. What most people see as design, they say--purposeful, directed, even intelligent--is only an illusion, something cooked up in a mind that is eager to see purpose where none exists. In these days of increasingly assertive challenges to Darwinism, the question becomes acute: is our perception of design simply a mental figment, or is there something deeper at work? Physiologist Scott Turner argues eloquently and convincingly that the apparent design we see in the living world only makes sense when we add to Darwin's towering achievement the dimension that much modern molecular biology has left on the gene-splicing floor: the dynamic interaction between living organisms and their environment. Only when we add environmental physiology to natural selection can we begin to understand the beautiful fit between the form life takes and how life works. In The Tinkerer's Accomplice, Scott Turner takes up the question of design as a very real problem in biology; his solution poses challenges to all sides in this critical debate.
A professor, biologist, and physiologist argues that modern Darwinism’s materialist and mechanistic biases have led to a scientific dead end, unable to define what life is—and only an openness to the qualities of "purpose and desire" will move the field forward. Scott Turner contends. "To be scientists, we force ourselves into a Hobson’s choice on the matter: accept intentionality and purposefulness as real attributes of life, which disqualifies you as a scientist; or become a scientist and dismiss life’s distinctive quality from your thinking. I have come to believe that this choice actually stands in the way of our having a fully coherent theory of life." Growing research shows that life's most distinctive quality, shared by all living things, is purpose and desire: maintain homeostasis to sustain life. In Purpose and Desire, Turner draws on the work of Claude Bernard, a contemporary of Darwin revered among physiologists as the founder of experimental medicine, to build on Bernard’s "dangerous idea" of vitalism, which seeks to identify what makes "life" a unique phenomenon of nature. To further its quest to achieve a fuller understanding of life, Turner argues, science must move beyond strictly accepted measures that consider only the mechanics of nature. A thoughtful appeal to widen our perspective of biology that is grounded in scientific evidence, Purpose and Desire helps us bridge the ideological evolutionary divide.
Two Truths and a Lie is a memoir in the form of three solo plays written and performed by Scott Turner Schofield. From inside the often hilarious-but all too real-moments of his young life on the Homecoming Court and Debutante Ball circuit (in a dress), armed with only a decoder ring and a gifted tongue, Schofield comes out with truly unbelievable stories of a body in search of an identity. By turns slapstick and slap-to-the-face, this drama invites audiences and readers to explore gender, sex, sexuality, and self in their own first person.
Experienced hiker and guidebook author and Southern California native Scott Turner has been exploring Joshua Tree National Park for years, fostering a deep knowledge of its geography and natural and human history. Here he provides distinct guidance for choosing the perfect hike to experience the unique landscape of the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts. Attractive, all-color guidebook packed with info to help readers choose activities that meet their interests: Day hikes from 1 to 10 miles, with elevation from 250 to 1500 feet Distances and elevations measured in both US Standard and metric Information on park campgrounds and lodges Park basics: visitor centers, must-see sights and activities, permits and fees, fun facts, gateway towns, and more Overview of flora and fauna and the effects of climate change in the park
Whether you’re visiting for a day or exploring for a week, this guide provides intel on the best hikes and walks, as well as views, giant trees, camping, and more to help visitors make the most of these magnificent parks. Featured attractions are easily accessible from the parks’ main roads, and 40 carefully selected day hikes range from easy to challenging. Other features include: Park basics: visitor centers, permits and fees, info on gateway towns, fun facts "Must-see" sights within the park Overview of the parks' flora and fauna Brief tips and advice for non-hiking activities Overview of park campgrounds and lodging Park and hiking safety
With soaring alpine summits, sparkling lakes, and glaciated wonderlands, Yosemite National Park has so much to offer, and this newest addition to our bestselling Day Hiking series is your guide to the best of the park’s wonders. It includes 90 detailed route descriptions plus an appendix with bonus capsule descriptions for 11 additional day hikes and 4 backpacking trips. Areas covered include Wawona, Glacier Point Road, Yosemite Valley, Crane Flat, Hetch Hetchy, Tenaya Lake, Tuolumne Meadows, Tioga Pass, Mono Basin, and more. One percent of sales benefit Yosemite Conservancy. Day Hiking: Yosemite National Park also features: At-a-glance chart to help readers choose the day’s adventure Quick-reference icons for kid- and dog-friendly routes, wildflowers, historical significance, and more Sidebars on conservation, park history, and more Clear and detailed topographic maps Subjective star ratings on overall trail experiences Gorgeous, full-color photographs throughout **Mountaineers Books designates 1 percent of the sales of select guidebooks in our Day Hiking series toward trail maintenance and conservation. For this book, our 1 percent of sales is going to Yosemite Conservancy.
Can the structures that animals build--from the humble burrows of earthworms to towering termite mounds to the Great Barrier Reef--be said to live? However counterintuitive the idea might first seem, physiological ecologist Scott Turner demonstrates in this book that many animals construct and use structures to harness and control the flow of energy from their environment to their own advantage. Building on Richard Dawkins's classic, The Extended Phenotype, Turner shows why drawing the boundary of an organism's physiology at the skin of the animal is arbitrary. Since the structures animals build undoubtedly do physiological work, capturing and channeling chemical and physical energy, Turner argues that such structures are more properly regarded not as frozen behaviors but as external organs of physiology and even extensions of the animal's phenotype. By challenging dearly held assumptions, a fascinating new view of the living world is opened to us, with implications for our understanding of physiology, the environment, and the remarkable structures animals build.
Since 1986, Jerry Schad's Afoot and Afield: San Diego County has been the premier trail guide for hikers, backpackers, and mountain bikers. It describes routes ranging from brief, family-friendly hikes to multiple-day overnight trips in remote regions of the backcountry, providing equal weight to the scenic and recreational value of each trip. Each route features at least one or more significant botanical, cultural, or geological highlight with detailed information about what makes each one significant. The book's lengthy history as the preferred hiking guide for the region creates trust and recognition in its readers, while the variety within the book caters to a wide population of recreational enthusiasts. Current co-author Scott Turner has fully updated the book by re-hiking each of the routes contained within the book and adding (up to) 30 new routes to ensure that information for each trip is fully current.
Discover two of Utah’s most popular parks, conveniently situated to visit in a single trip. Established in 1919 Zion was Utah’s first national park and currently sees 4.5 million visitors annually, while Bryce Canyon gets 2.6 million. Beat the crowds with this guide to hikes and sights that no one should miss, exploring the canyons, hoodoos, and incomparable vistas across both destinations. Attractive, all-color guidebook packed with info to help readers choose activities that meet their interests: Day hikes from 1 to 10 miles, with total elevation gains from 80 to 2200 feet Distances and elevations measured in both US Standard and metric Information on park campgrounds and lodges Park basics: visitor centers, must-see sights and activities, permits and fees, fun facts, gateway towns, and more Overview of flora and fauna and the effects of climate change in each the park
It describes routes ranging from brief, family-friendly hikes to multiple-day overnight trips in remote regions of the backcountry, providing equal weight to the scenic and recreational value of each trip. Each route features at least one or more significant botanical, cultural, or geological highlight with detailed information about what makes each one special.
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