Charles Darwin: The Shaping of Evolutionary Thinking

About this book

There are few aspects of the modern world that remain untouched by Charles Darwin's legacy. His ideas have affected everything from science to religion, and have influenced debates about ethics, animal welfare and nature versus nurture. But who was Charles Darwin, and why has he remained such a pivotal and controversial figure, over a hundred years on from his death? How has Darwinism changed psychology, biology and the behavioural sciences? Lance Workman, an expert in evolutionary psychology, explores these questions in this thought-provoking introduction to the life, works and legacy of one of science's greatest thinkers. It is essential reading for anyone interested in evolution and the human condition.

Contents

1. Who was Charles Darwin?
2. Darwin's Greatest Work 'On the Origin of Species'
3. Sex and Emotions: Darwin's Other Great Works
4. Darwin and Darwinism
5. Is Darwin dangerous? Objections and Rejections From the Social Sciences
6. Ultra-Darwinism: Sociobiology and the Selfish Gene
7. Evolutionary Psychology: Darwin's Science of Behaviour Realised?
8. Conclusions: Darwinism Today

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Biography

Lance Workman is Visiting Professor at the University of South Wales, UK. He has published widely on biological and evolutionary psychology. He regularly appears in the media where he comments on developments in psychology and is co-author of Evolutionary Psychology: An Introduction.