The Darwinian Paradigm

Charles Darwin's Origin of Species is now 130 years old, yet it continues to provoke fierce and impassioned debate. Michael Ruse, a distinguished champion of Darwin's theory of evolution, here presents a collection of essays - many previously unpublished - which look at Darwinism from both historical and contemporary perspectives. Written in a lively and accessible style, these essays cover philosophical and theological as well as scientific issues. Michael Ruse's claims are often highly controversial, particularly in discussions on the relations between science and religion, and they should provoke much comment.

I HISTORICAL THEMES 1 DARWIN’S DEBT TO PHILOSOPHY 2 CHARLES DARWIN AND GROUP SELECTION 3 WHAT KIND OF REVOLUTION OCCURRED IN GEOLOGY? II CONTEMPORARY ISSUES 4 BIOLOGICAL SPECIES Natural kinds, individuals, or what? 5 IS THE THEORY OF PUNCTUATED EQUILIBRIA A NEW PARADIGM? 6 TELEOLOGY AND THE BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES III HUMAN PERSPECTIVES 7 HUMAN SOCIOBOLOGY: AN INTERIM REPORT 8 BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE AND FEMINIST VALUES 9 IS RAPE WRONG ON ANDROMEDA? An introduction to extraterrestrial evolution, science, and morality IV ULTIMATE QUESTIONS 10 EVOLUTIONARY THEORY AND CHRISTIAN ETHICS Are they in harmony