Evolution
by Michael Ruse
First published 2009 · 979 pages · about 16 hours to read
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About this book
An introduction to evolutionary biology, with sixteen essays about the history and philosophy of the field, related empirical and theoretical questions about topics such as speciation, adaptation, and development, and articles on important figures, social and political issues, and related religious topics.
Books like Evolution
On the Origin of Species
Charles Darwinabout 8 hours to read
The foundational text of evolutionary theory, useful for readers who want the primary source behind the history covered in an introduction like this.
The Selfish Gene
Richard Dawkinsabout 6 hours to read
A popular account of evolution as a process centred on genes, which sets up many of the philosophical debates that Ruse's field has argued about.
The Blind Watchmaker
Richard Dawkinsabout 6 hours to read
An argument for natural selection as an explanation of complex adaptation, addressing the design question that the book's essays on adaptation touch on.
Wonderful Life
Stephen Jay Gouldabout 6 hours to read
A close study of the Burgess Shale fossils that uses paleontology to question simple ideas of progress in evolutionary history.
More
Darwin's Dangerous Idea
Daniel C. Dennettabout 10 hours to read
A philosophical account of what natural selection implies for science, religion and ethics, which overlaps with the book's religious and philosophical topics.
Why Evolution Is True
Jerry A. Coyneabout 5 hours to read
A survey of the evidence for evolution from several fields of biology, suited to readers who want the empirical case laid out in one place.
Endless Forms Most Beautiful
Sean B. Carrollabout 6 hours to read
An account of evo-devo, the study of how developmental genetics shapes evolution, which matches the book's interest in development.
The Structure of Evolutionary Theory
Stephen Jay Gouldabout 24 hours to read
A long technical work on the conceptual structure of evolutionary theory, for readers who want the philosophical side of the field in more depth.
More by Michael Ruse
- Understanding Natural SelectionUnderstanding Natural Selection2022
- Why We HateWhy We Hate2022
- Philosopher Looks at Human BeingsPhilosopher Looks at Human Beings2021
- Meaning to LifeMeaning to Life2019
- Cambridge Handbook of Evolutionary EthicsCambridge Handbook of Evolutionary Ethics2017
- Science and SpiritualityScience and Spirituality2014
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