Darwinism's Struggle for Survival

This book offers a philosophical interpretation of the history of theoretical Darwinism, from its origins and early problems in the nineteenth century to the genetic theory of natural selection developed between 1920 and 1960. It will appeal to philosophers and historians of science and to evolutionary biologists.

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In Darwinism's Struggle for Survival Jean Gayon offers a philosophical interpretation of the history of theoretical Darwinism. He begins by examining the different forms taken by the hypothesis of natural selection in the nineteenth century (Darwin, Wallace, Galton) and the major difficulties which it encountered, particularly with regard to its compatibility with the theory of heredity. He then shows how these difficulties were overcome during the seventy years which followed the publication of Darwin's Origin of Species, and he concludes by analysing the major features of the genetic theory of natural selection, as it developed from 1920 to 1960. This rich and wide-ranging study will appeal to philosophers and historians of science and to evolutionary biologists.