Evolutionary theory and Victorian culture / Martin Fichman.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Fichman, Martin, 1944-

Series:

Control of nature

Control of nature series

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Evolution--History--19th century.

Evolution.

Evolution (Biology)--History--19th century.

Evolution (Biology).

Evolution--History--20th century.

Evolution (Biology)--History--20th century.

History.

Physical Description:

256 pages : illustrations ; 23 cm.

Place of Publication:

Amherst, N.Y. : Humanity Books, 2002.

Summary:

This absorbing study of the Victorian controversies over the cultural meaning of evolution broadens our perspective by including these and other prominents individuals. Fichman traces the emergence of science as a definitive political and cultural force in this critical period, showing that evolutionary biology was at the epicienter 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 culture debates in the 20th century, in particular the notorious Scopes trial (1925) and the later, and ongoing, debate about "scientific creation ism."

Contents:

1. Evolutionism in Cultural Context 13

2. Social Darwinism(s) 51

3. Transatlantic Evolutionism 73

4. Debates on Human Evolution 97

5. Wallace and Darwin: The Major Differences 123

6. Evolutionary Ethics 145

7. Evolution and Religion: Tensions and Accommodation 169

8. The Contemporary Debates: "Creation Science"? 193.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 225-243) and index.

ISBN:

1591020034

OCLC:

50018529