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The evolution of Darwinism : selection, adaptation, and progress in evolutionary biology

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The evolution of Darwinism : selection, adaptation, and progress in evolutionary biology / Timothy Shanahan.

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Status	Format	Access	Call number	Item location
Status Request for on-site use Request scan How do I pick up this item and when will it be ready?	FormatText	AccessUse in library	Call numberQH361 .S43 2004	Item locationOff-site

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"Alas, the apparent simplicity of Darwin's theory is deceptive. From the very beginning it has been subject to differing interpretations, and even now professional opinion is sharply divided on a range of fundamental issues, among them the nature of selection, the scope of adaptation, and the question of evolutionary progress. This book traces these issues from Darwin's own evolving quest for understanding to ongoing contemporary debates, and explores their implications for the greatest questions of all: where we came from, who we are, and where we might be heading." "Written in a clear and nontechnical style, this book will be of interest to students, scholars, and anyone wishing to understand the development of evolutionary theory."--Jacket.

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Contents

Part I. Selection: Darwin and natural selection -- The group selection controversy -- For whose good does natural selection work? -- Part II. Adaptation: Darwin (and others) on biological perfection -- Adaptation after Darwin -- Adaptation(ism) and its limits -- Part III. Progress: Darwin on evolutionary progress -- Evolutionary progress from Darwin to Dawkins -- Is evolution progressive? -- Human physical and mental evolution.

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