Darwin, and After Darwin, Volumes 1 and 3 / An Exposition of the Darwinian Theory and a Discussion of Post-Darwinian Questions

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

24800

Title

Darwin, and After Darwin, Volumes 1 and 3 / An Exposition of the Darwinian Theory and a Discussion of Post-Darwinian Questions

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

George John Romanes presents a systematic exposition of Darwinian theory, addressing post-Darwinian questions with clarity for general readers. The work balances historical context with scientific rigor, exploring evolution, natural selection, and sexual selection while acknowledging the theory's limitations and ongoing debates.

Summary up to 500 words

In this comprehensive treatise, George John Romanes explicates Charles Darwin's theory of organic evolution, drawing upon lectures delivered at the University of Edinburgh and the Royal Institution. The text is divided into three conceptual volumes, with this edition focusing on the historical and theoretical foundations laid by Darwin himself. Romanes meticulously examines evidence from classification, morphology, embryology, paleontology, and geographical distribution to support the Darwinian framework. He addresses major criticisms, such as the existence of useless traits and cross-infertility, arguing that these do not invalidate natural selection if viewed as one factor among others rather than the sole cause. The work delves deeply into the theory of natural selection, analyzing its evidences and rebutting objections regarding vestigial structures and species divergence. Romanes also introduces the theory of sexual selection to explain non-utilitarian traits like the peacock's plumage and the aesthetic behaviors of bower-birds. Throughout, he emphasizes that while natural selection is the primary driver of adaptive change, it operates alongside other forces like heredity and variability. The book serves as both an educational primer and a robust defense of evolutionary science, distinguishing Darwin's nuanced views from the more rigid interpretations of his contemporary Alfred Russel Wallace. Romanes concludes by affirming the theory's status as a proven general law, supported by an overwhelming accumulation of evidence across biological disciplines.

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4.2/5

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Categories

• Science
• Biology