Darwin's Dangerous Idea: Evolution and the Meanings of Life by Daniel C. Dennett

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Argues that the theory of evolution can demystify the miracles of life without devaluing our most cherished beliefs. In this book, the author explores every aspect of evolutionary thinking to show why it is so fundamental to our existence, and why it affirms - not threatens - our convictions about the meaning of life.

FORMATPaperback LANGUAGEEnglish CONDITIONBrand New Publisher Description

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.

Notes

"Why is Darwin's idea "dangerous"? Because it cuts through every cherished notion we hold in life... A bold work... you will come away from Darwin's Dangerous Idea sated and stimulated, whether or not you agree with its thesis." New Scientist. Dennett shows that Darwinism need not devalue the miracles of life.

Author Biography

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.

Table of Contents

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.

Kirkus UK Review

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)

Kirkus US Review

An exploration - at a consistently high level of discourse - of the implications of Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection, which extend far beyond biology. Dennett (director, Center for Cognitive Studies/Tufts Univ.; Consciousness Explained, 1991, etc.) goes directly to the crux of the natural selection controversy: its implicit denial that a divine "first cause" is needed to account for the origin of life. While Darwin discreetly avoided a confrontation with orthodox religion, he could not prevent the proponents of divine creation from launching preemptive attacks against his theory. Dennett takes a rationalist tack, pointing out that any theory of a creator begs the question of how life began: If complex DNA molecules cannot have come into being without a creator, must not that creator have been even more complex to have designed the molecules? He argues his points more from a philosophical and logical position than from analysis of the scientific literature on evolution, of which he openly admits only an amateur's understanding. (On the other hand, few of the critics of Darwinian selection have any deeper knowledge of the subject.) Among the fascinating subjects he brings up in passing are the laws of probability, computer simulations of evolution, and the revisionist Darwinian theories of Stephen Jay Gould and Roger Penrose. Ultimately, he contends, the Darwinian revolution's greatest achievement is the denial of the supernatural explanation of the universe, replacing it with an even more miraculous natural explanation. Readers had best be prepared to think long and hard about the points Dennett raises, but those who stay with the author will be amply rewarded for their efforts. (Kirkus Reviews)

Prizes

Short-listed for Pulitzer Prize for Non-Fiction 1996

Details ISBN014016734X Author Daniel C. Dennett Pages 592 Publisher Penguin Books Ltd Year 1996 ISBN-10 014016734X ISBN-13 9780140167344 Format Paperback Publication Date 1996-09-26 Imprint Penguin Books Ltd Subtitle Evolution and the Meanings of Life Place of Publication London Country of Publication United Kingdom DEWEY 575.0162 Illustrations bibliography, index Birth 1942 Media Book Edition 1st Short Title DARWINS DANGEROUS IDEA Language English Series Penguin Science UK Release Date 1996-09-26 Alternative 9780141949253 Audience General NZ Release Date 1996-09-25 AU Release Date 1996-09-25 We've got this

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