[Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Thread Index] [Date Prev] [Date Next] [Date Index]

Re: Future of palaeontology



In our discussion of this subject we should recall Art Boucout's
oft-reiterated suggestion that the right place for paleontologists is in
biology, not geology, departments.  I strongly agree with this, having come
into paleo from the biological, not geological side.  Paleontologists with
a broad background in biology, especially in evolutionary theory, would be
welcome in Biology departments and would find a host of eager students.

After all, the phenomena we study are related to living things, not to
rocks.  If paleontologists want to continue to be treated like second-class
citizens, they should stick close to geology.  If they want to move forward
and integrate their knowledge with the rest of biology (paleobiology,
right?), they should seek out a place in the life sciences.

Bill Shear
Department of Biology
Hampden-Sydney College
Hampden-Sydney VA 23943
(804)223-6172
FAX (804)223-6374
email<bills@tiger.hsc.edu>