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SUMMARY:The natural history of the Chihuahua: canine mythology and the sci
 ence of breeding - David Feller (Department of History and Philosophy of S
 cience)
DTSTART:20130318T130000Z
DTEND:20130318T141500Z
UID:TALK42488@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:29667
DESCRIPTION:Since the beginning of the nineteenth century at least\, dog b
 reeds have been identified not only by their appearance but by elaborate c
 anis personae created by breeders and owners to illustrate their breeds' n
 aturalized origins. These tales of origin blur the distinction between the
  artificial and the natural and vary from breed to breed\; depending on th
 e dog's role\, the history developed may be fairly modern or of ancient ro
 ots. Even Charles Darwin participated in this process\, using dog mytholog
 ies in his research to create his theory of natural selection\, and explai
 n that theory to a wider public. The importance of breeds qua breeds is bo
 th scientific and rhetorical\, driving scientific inquiry on the one hand 
 and on the other incorporating romantic notions of progress which dominate
 d breeder narratives of their most artificial creations. These mythologies
  have application even in today's scientific research\, and may offer new 
 paths for research to come.
LOCATION:Seminar Room 1\, Department of History and Philosophy of Science
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