Darwin's Theory: An Introduction to Principles of Evolution - Softcover

Crisp, Edward L.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1508449422 ISBN 13: 9781508449423

Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2018

Synopsis

Throughout this book, it has been stressed that EVOLUTION IS REAL SCIENCE and that EVOLUTION MATTERS! The understanding that is derived from a knowledge of how evolution works and how much we depend upon this knowledge to make our modern world a better and more livable place, free of the demons of superstition and ignorance, is inspiring. Darwin’s theory, as modified by modern evolutionary theory, is a paradigmatic example of one of the parts of the candle’s flame in Carl Sagan’s "The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark" (Sagan, 1996)."Darwin’s Theory" is written as a textbook presenting the basic principles of evolution appropriate for the general reader interested in the topic of evolution, but also for college students. Crisp, an emeritus professor of geology with a background in paleontology, takes the reader on a journey through the evolution of Earth and the history of life on this planet. He also stresses Charles Darwin’s concepts of evolutionary change, primarily by natural selection, but also discusses the importance of genetic drift and sexual selection. Many classic examples of the evidence supporting Neo-Darwinism (the modern synthetic theory of biologic evolution) are presented, including geological and paleontological evidence. There are also chapters or sections on the evolution of evolutionary thought, the history of the evolution versus creationism conflict, relative and absolute dating of the rock record, the importance of an understanding of evolutionary theory in medicine, how genetic variations arise in organisms, the rise of genetic and genomic engineering, and much, much more.

About this title

About the Author

Edward L. Crisp is an emeritus professor of geology at West Virginia University at Parkersburg. He received a B.S. in geology (minor in biology) from Morehead State University, Morehead, Kentucky; a M.S. in geology from the University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky; and a Ph.D. in geology (major area: paleontology, minor area: biology) from Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana. Dr. Crisp spent the first fifteen years of his career as a petroleum exploration geologist, primarily working the geology of the subsurface in the Texas Gulf Coast region, except for an eighteen-month stint in Damascus, Syria, exploring for petroleum in eastern Syria. He then spent the remaining twenty-four years of his career as a professor in higher education, the last twenty-two years at WVU at Parkersburg, teaching primarily geology, earth science, astronomy, and physical science; but several years also teaching the two courses, the paleobiology of dinosaurs and the principles of biologic evolution. Dr. Crisp lives in Vienna, West Virginia, with his wife Susan Sowards.

Edition details

• Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
• Publication date: 2018
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1508449422
• ISBN 13: 9781508449423
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 501