The Evolution Wars

The year 2009 marks the 200-year anniversary of Charles Darwin's birth. This second edition focuses on the great debates that have engaged, divided, stimulated, and provoked scientists and others to ponder the origins of humankind. This timely update of 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 great debates, including the 19th 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. Features of this book: Examines the history of evolution, early evolutionists, Darwinism, creationism, genetics, sociobiology, philosophy, natural selection and more; Is updated through current events, with two new chapters and more illustrations; New chapter introductions and overviews outline the contents of each chapter; New historical timeline; New section on biographies of prominent scientists, for easy reference; New section on primary documents, for added understanding of the topic. With two and a half centuries of evolutionary thought, in one all-inclusive volume, this thought-provoking encyclopedia is a much-needed resource. - Publisher.