人類の先祖は類人猿だったとするチャールズ・ダーウィン（1809-82年）の進化論は、1859年に『種の起源』が出版されるやいなや、科学界の内外で大騒動になりました。ダーウィンの主な学識とその根拠を分析しながら、現代生物学の発展におけるその業績の重要性に、改めて光をあてます。(cf. Evolution, #100; On the Origin of Species (Oxford World's Classics))
  

• There is a huge interest in Darwin and evolution, and the developments of his ideas are still controversial
• Darwin's theory of evolution revolutionized not only biology, but the world view of ordinary people, by undermining belief in God's creation

 
Darwin's theory that our ancestors were apes caused a furore in the scientific world and outside it when The Origin of Species was published in 1859. Arguments still rage about the implications of his evolutionary theory, and scepticism about the value of Darwin's contribution to knowledge is widespread. In this analysis of Darwin's major insights and arguments, Jonathan Howard reasserts the importance of Darwin's work for the development of modern biology.