Evolutionary Theory and Victorian Culture by Martin Fichman

Evolutionary Theory and Victorian Culture by Martin Fichman

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Summary

Although Charles Darwin was a central figure in the 19th-century development of evolutionary theory, we often tend to overlook the crucial role played by other thinkers of the time. This study of the Victorian controversies over the cultural meaning of evolution broadens our perspective by emphasising the contributions of these individuals.

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Evolutionary Theory and Victorian Culture by Martin Fichman

This absorbing study of the Victorian controversies over the cultural meaning of evolution broadens our perspective by discussing the roles played by prominent individuals besides Charles Darwin, notably Alfred Russel Wallace, Herbert Spencer, and Thomas Henry Huxley. Fichman traces the emergence of science as a definitive political and cultural force in this critical period, showing that evolutionary biology was at the epicenter of these profound sociocultural transformations. His astute analysis of the often vehement Victorian debates on the political, religious, racial, and ethical implications of evolutionary thought reveals how science came to be inseparable from the broader culture. He also relates 19th-century controversies to cultural debates in the 20th century, in particular the notorious Scopes trial (1925) and the later, and ongoing, debate about "scientific creationism." For all those fascinated, and perplexed, by the impact of evolutionary theory on our worldview, and the increasingly close ties between science and Western culture, Fichman's historical perspective lends much clarity and context to current controversies.
Fichman, Martin: - Martin Fichman is a professor of humanities at York University in Canada. He is the author, most recently, of Evolutionary Theory and Victorian Culture and Science, Technology, and Society: A Historical Perspective.
SKU Unavailable
ISBN 13 9781591020035
ISBN 10 1591020034
Title Evolutionary Theory and Victorian Culture
Author Martin Fichman
Condition Unavailable
Binding Type Paperback
Publisher Prometheus Books
Year published 2002-11-01
Number of pages 256
Cover note Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.