Man And His Ancestor: A Study In Evolution

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

28471

Title

Man And His Ancestor: A Study In Evolution

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Charles Morris presents a popular, evidence-based argument for the evolutionary origin of man, contrasting scientific inquiry with creationist authority. The text explores vestigial organs, the development of intelligence through conflict, and the transition from ape to human, offering a clear, logical examination of humanity's ancestry.

Summary up to 500 words

In 'Man And His Ancestor: A Study In Evolution,' Charles Morris presents a comprehensive argument for the evolutionary origin of humanity, contrasting it with the doctrine of direct creation. Morris asserts that while creation relies on unprovable authority, evolution is grounded in ascertained facts and logical evidence. He utilizes fossil records and anatomical vestiges to demonstrate that humans descended from lower animals. Key examples include the vermiform appendix, a rudimentary organ in humans that is functional in herbivorous ancestors, and the pineal gland, a remnant of a third eye found in ancient vertebrates. Similarly, the thymus and thyroid glands are identified as vestigial structures that serve little purpose in modern humans but were vital in ancestral forms. Morris argues that the human brain expanded significantly not through physical changes, but due to the mental demands of conflict. Early humans, or the 'man-ape,' conquered the animal kingdom not through superior physical strength, but through superior mental resources and the invention of weapons. This intellectual struggle, driven by the exigencies of warfare and the fight for dominance over nature, forced the brain to grow while the body remained relatively unchanged. The author posits that victory in this long battle for lordship resulted in a species with a much larger brain and superior mental powers, yet physically similar to its ancestors. The work also addresses the immortality of the soul, noting that belief in it is a modern development lacking evidence in ancient Jewish texts. Morris suggests that spiritual phenomena remain scientifically unproven, though he acknowledges the complexity of psychical research. Ultimately, the book aims to provide a plain presentation of these complex scientific ideas for general readers, moving beyond the technical language of earlier works like Darwin's. Morris concludes that the problem of human evolution extends far beyond mere ancestry to include the profound development of the human mind itself, a process driven by the potent influences of conflict and the struggle for existence.

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Categories

• Science
• Human Evolution