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Darwin's Dangerous Idea

Evolution and the Meanings of Life

Daniel C. Dennett

$32.99

Paperback

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English
Penguin
26 September 1996
This work assesses Darwin's theory of evolution and looks at why it arises such heated debate among scientists, philosophers and sociologists. The book aims to show that Darwinism does not devalue the miracles of life.

By:  
Imprint:   Penguin
Country of Publication:   United Kingdom
Dimensions:   Height: 196mm,  Width: 128mm,  Spine: 34mm
Weight:   420g
ISBN:   9780140167344
ISBN 10:   014016734X
Pages:   592
Publication Date:  
Audience:   General/trade ,  ELT Advanced
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Part I Starting in the middle: tell me why; an idea is born; universal acid; the tree of life; the possible and the actual; threads of actuality in design space. Part II Darwinian thinking in biology: priming Darwin's pump; biology is engineering; searching for quality; bully for brontosaurus; controversies contained. Part III Mind, meaning, mathematics, and morality: cranes of culture; losing our minds to Darwin; the evolution of meanings; the emperor's new mind, and other fables; on the origin of morality; redesigning morality; the future of an idea.

Daniel Dennett is the author of Brainstorms, Brainchildren, Elbow Room, Consciousness Explained and Darwin's Dangerous Idea. He is currently the Distinguished Arts and Sciences Professor and Director of the Center for Cognitive Studies at Tufts University. He lives in North Andover, Massachusetts.

Reviews for Darwin's Dangerous Idea: Evolution and the Meanings of Life

This contribution to the Darwin industry comes from an American professor who is in some ways a counterpart to our own Richard Dawkins, forcefully arguing the case that contends Darwin's 'great idea' (natural selection) is all you need to understand how evolution works. Dennett is above all a great communicator of enthusiasm about ideas. In this stunning book he provides an entertaining and illuminating synopsis of the various descendants of Darwinism. But, more importantly, he provides a philosophical analysis of the implications of Darwin's thought for every aspect of our lives. Dennett compares the consequences of Darwinism to 'universal acid', a fictional chemical which can eat through every vessel in which you try to contain it. Controversial topics such as punctuated equilibrium and sociobiology are discussed in their proper context, consciousness is explained, and our place in the universe is pondered. A massive, far-ranging book that will keep you intrigued throughout the long winter evenings. This brilliant exposition of the position known as ultra-Darwinism will surely become a classic. (Kirkus UK)


  • Short-listed for Pulitzer Prize for Non-Fiction 1996
  • Shortlisted for Pulitzer Prize for Non-Fiction 1996.

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