The Development of Darwin's Theory: Natural History, Natural Theology, and Natural Selection,1838-1859 (Paperback)

Dov Ospovat

ISBN 10: 0521469406 / ISBN 13: 9780521469401

Editore: Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1995

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Paperback. 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, two decades preceding the publication of On the Origin of Species, in detail and shows that Darwin's views changed quite radically from initially believing 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, he is able to show that he was not the scientific recluse of popular myth. He also shows that there was a theological basis for much of Darwin's original 1838-1844 theory, and his later principle of divergence was influenced by his belief in evolutionary progress. In this highly acclaimed book, Ospovat shows that Darwin's views changed radically from his first formulation of evolution to the publication of the full theory in 1859. Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability.

Codice articolo 9780521469401

Dati bibliografici

• Titolo: The Development of Darwin's Theory: Natural History, Natural Theology, and Natural Selection,1838-1859 (Paperback)
• Editore: Cambridge University Press, Cambridge
• Data di pubblicazione: 1995
• Lingua: Inglese
• ISBN 10: 0521469406
• ISBN 13: 9780521469401
• Rilegatura: Paperback
• Condizione: new

Descrizione articolo

Riassunto

In this highly acclaimed book, Ospovat shows that Darwin's views changed radically from his first formulation of evolution to the publication of the full theory in 1859.

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