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

Ospovat, Dov

ISBN 10: 0521469406 / ISBN 13: 9780521469401

Published by Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1995

About this Item

Former owner's name on half-title page. A nice, crisp copy. ; 6 X 0.72 X 9 inches; 301 pages. Seller Inventory # 314295

Bibliographic Details

Title: The Development of Darwin's Theory: Natural ...

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, Cambridge

Publication Date: 1995

Binding: Paperback

Condition: Very Good

About this title

Synopsis:

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.

Book Description:

Originally published in 1981, this book has become generally accepted as one of the most influential books about Darwin published in recent years. Placing Darwin within the other biological developments of the day, the author is able to show that he was not the scientific recluse of popular myth.