The Evolution Wars: A Guide to the Debates / Edition 1

by Michael Ruse

Overview

The Evolution Wars draws on history, science, and philosophy to examine the development of evolutionary thought through the past two and a half centuries. It focuses on the debates that have engaged, divided, and ultimately provoked scientists to ponder the origins of organisms—including humankind—paying regard to the nineteenth-century clash over the nature of classification and debates about the fossil record, genetics, and human nature. Much attention is paid to external factors and the underlying motives of scientists.

In these pages you will meet Charles Darwin’s ebullient grandfather Erasmus, the contentious Frenchmen Georges Cuvier and Etienne Geoffroy Stain-Hillaire, new creationist Phillip Johnson, the brilliant J. B. S. Haldane, outspoken Richard Dawkins, and many other stars of the debates.

The Evolution Wars explores the ten greatest controversies surrounding evolution in world history, with emphasis on recent times, including the infamous Scopes trial of the 1920s: the search for human origins and speculation about the “missing link,” spurred by the discovery of “Lucy;” the debate surrounding the new theory of paleontology proposed by Stephen Jay Gould; and the rise of teaching “creation science” in public school as a subject on par with evolution.

Although the author takes a strong stand on the side of evolution, he also shows respect for dissenting viewpoints. Thus, the book is intellectually rewarding not only for evolutionists but also for opponents of evolution theory, especially those who want to see how one of the great ideas of Western civilization resonates through time, both within and beyond the scientific community.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780813530369
Publisher:	Rutgers University Press
Publication date:	09/01/2001
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	352
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 10.00(h) x 0.80(d)
Age Range:	12 Years

About the Author

MICHAEL RUSE is the Lucycle T. Werkmeister Professor of Philosophy at Florida State University in Tallahassee. He is the author of many books, including The Darwinian Revolution: Science Red in Tooth and Claw; Monad to Man: The Concept of Progress in Evolutionary Biology; and Can a Darwinian Be a Christian?: The Relationship Between Science and Religion. 

Table of Contents

Foreword, Edward O. Wilson
Acknowledgments
Prologue
1. Monad to Man: The Birth of the Idea
2. Mystery of Mysteries: The Legacy of Charles Darwin
3. Modified Monkeys: Evolution as Religion
4. The New World: Darwin in America
5. Cold War Warriors: Darwinism and Genetics
6. In the Beginning: The Origin of Life
7. "Going the Whole Orang": Human Origins
8. Genetic Determinism? Human Sociobiology Arrives
9. Challenges to Orthodoxy: Alternatives to Darwinism
10. Ultimate Questions: Science and Religion
Epilogue
References
Chronology
Glossary
Illustration Credits and Permissions
Index

Editorial Reviews

This thought-provoking update to the 2000 edition is divided into five segments, two of which are subdivided into 12 total chapters. These chronologically chart evolution's birth and development. While Ruse (Darwin and Design) offers his own survey of the subject's major issues, an additional segment assembles the scholarship of major figures like Donald Johanson and Stephen Jay Gould. Conspicuously absent is discussion of Kitzmiller v. Dover School District(2005), which rekindled a longstanding national debate over evolutionary curricula. However, Ruse's subject guide is otherwise detailed, jargon-free, and highly engaging.

—Savannah Schroll Guz

Library Journal

Beginning with the lividity of Georges Cuvier at Etienne Geoffroy Saint Hillaire for daring to suggest, in 1830, the anatomical similarity between humans and animals and ending with the current efforts of creationists to discredit Darwinism with scientific-sounding jargon, this work provides an overview of the intellectual debates that have raged between supporters and detractors of Darwin, as well as within the ranks of his adherents (classicists, neo- Darwinists, sociobiologists, etc.). The author summarizes the arguments of the various factions and offers his own assessments of the relative values of the cases. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews

"...an engaging, thought-provoking, and witty analysis of the history of evolutionary thought ... The evolution controversies are themselves fascinating subjects, and Ruse makes them much more understandable by placing them in the historical, social, religious, and even personal contexts of their times ... A must read for students of evolution and the philosophy of science, but also for anyone interested in a fascinating history of a most radical and continuing change in scientific thought that (like it or not) permeates all of biology and society today." - Choice

"The text is interesting and readable for the nonscientist, while maintaining a scholarly style. Students in advanced placement natural and social science courses will find this book interesting and useful in the study of evolution." - The Book Report

"...highly recommended for academic and public libraries." - American Reference Books Annual

"This guide provides teachers in major disciplines with a gold mine of information to get the big picture." - VOYA

From the Publisher