The Cambridge Companion to the 'Origin of Species'Michael Ruse, Robert J. Richards The Origin of Species by Charles Darwin is universally recognized as one of the most important science books ever written. Published in 1859, it was here that Darwin argued for both the fact of evolution and the mechanism of natural section. The Origin of Species is also a work of great cultural and religious significance, in that Darwin maintained that all organisms, including humans, are part of a natural process of growth from simple forms. This Companion commemorates the 150th anniversary of the publication of the Origin of Species and examines its main arguments. Drawing on the expertise of leading authorities in the field, it also provides the contexts - religious, social, political, literary, and philosophical - in which the Origin was composed. Written in a clear and friendly yet authoritative manner, this volume will be essential reading for both scholars and students More broadly, it will appeal to general readers who want to learn more about one of the most important and controversial books of modern times. |
Contents
1 The Origin of the Origin | 1 |
2 Darwins Analogy between Artificial and Natural Selection in the Origin of Species | 14 |
3 Variation and Inheritance | 30 |
4 Darwins Theory of Natural Selection and Its Moral Purpose | 47 |
5 Originating Species Darwin on the Species Problem | 67 |
6 Darwins Keystone The Principle of Divergence | 87 |
7 Darwins Difficulties | 109 |
8 Darwins Geology and Perspective on the Fossil Record | 129 |
12 Darwins Botany in the Origin of Species | 216 |
13 The Rhetoric of the Origin of Species | 237 |
14 Laws impressed on matter by the Creator? The Origin and the Question of Religion | 256 |
15 Lineal Descendants The Origins Literary Progeny | 275 |
16 The Origin and Political Thought From Liberalism to Marxism | 295 |
17 The Origin and Philosophy | 314 |
18 The Origin of Species as a Book | 333 |
bibliography | 353 |
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Common terms and phrases
adaptation Alfred Russel Wallace analogy appeared argued argument artificial selection Asa Gray Autobiography barnacles Beagle biology birds breed breeders Cambridge Chapter characters Charles Darwin Cladists claims classification common conception Correspondence creation Darwin's theory Darwinian descent discussion distinct domesticated early edition embryology embryos Essay evidence evolution evolutionary example explain extinction fact forms fossil genealogical genera geographical geological groups HMS Beagle Hooker human Huxley hybridization idea important individual inheritance insects instincts Kohn later laws Linnaean Lyell Mayr metaphor Michael Ruse modification moral natural history natural selection natural theology naturalists Notebooks observations offspring organisms Origin of Species Owen philosophical pigeons population principle of divergence problem produced published readers rhetorical Richard Owen Richards Royer scientific similar social Species Book speciesH Spencer structure struggle for existence term thinking thought tion topic tradition typological thinking typologist University variability variation varieties Variorum vera causa Wallace wrote