The Development of Darwin's Theory: Natural History, Natural Theology, and Natural Selection, 1838–1859 - Brossura

Ospovat, Dov

Brossura

ISBN 10: 0521469406 ISBN 13: 9780521469401

Casa editrice: Cambridge University Press, 1995

Riassunto

Dov Ospovat's book, originally published in 1981, has become generally accepted as one of the most influential books about Darwin published in recent years. Ospovat examines the period of 1838–1859 in detail, and shows that Darwin's views changed quite radically from his initial belief that animals and plants were perfectly adapted to their environments, and that evolution only occurred when the environment changed, to believing that living things were not perfectly adapted, were in constant competition with each other and hence, were continually evolving. By placing Darwin within the other biological developments of the day, Ospovat is able to show that he was not the scientific recluse of popular myth, that there was a theological basis for much of Darwin's original 1838–1844 theory and that his later 'principle of divergence' was influenced by his belief in evolutionary progress. This seminal work should be read by all those interested in the history of modern biology.

Su questo libro

Recensione

'a brilliant, groundbreaking book, the first full-blooded attempt to relate Darwin's science to the biology of his day.' Adrian Desmond

'It continues to be the best general treatment of the history of British biology of the decades immediately preceding the Origin of Species.' Nicolaas A. Rupke

'a landmark in Darwinian studies.' Stephen Jay Gould

'an impressive, erudite and provocative book.' Journal of the History of the Behavioral Sciences

'The style is clear, the narrative fascinating. It is an original and important contribution to the Darwin literature.' New Scientist

' ... remains an outstanding contribution to our understanding of the formation of Darwin's theory in his 20 years of work after returning from the Beagle.' C. U. M. Smith, Annals of Human Biology

Descrizione del libro

In this book, one of the most influential books about Darwin published in recent years, Ospovat shows that Darwin's views changed radically from his first formulation of evolution by natural selection to the publication of the Origin of Species in 1859. By firmly placing Darwin within the intellectual milieu of his day, Ospovat concludes that he was not the recluse of popular myth. This seminal work should be read by all those interested in the history of modern biology.

Dettagli dell?edizione

• Editore: Cambridge University Press
• Data di pubblicazione: 1995
• ISBN 10: 0521469406
• ISBN 13: 9780521469401
• Rilegatura: Copertina flessibile
• Lingua: Inglese
• Numero di pagine: 320