The Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection and The Descent of Man and Selection in Relation to Sex

by Charles Darwin

Publishers:

Robert P. Gwinn; Encyclopedia Britannica

, 1990

Overview

The makers of Encyclopædia Britannica bring you one of the Great Books of the Western World. This text captures major ideas, stories, and discoveries that helped shape Western culture.

Contents

Top Highlights

“Why then is not every geological formation and every stratum full of such intermediate links? Geology assuredly does not reveal any such finely-graduated organic chain; and this, perhaps, is the most obvious and serious objection which can be urged against the theory.” (Page 152)

“At some future period, not very distant as measured by centuries, the civilised races of man will almost certainly exterminate, and replace, the savage races throughout the world. At the same time the anthropomorphous apes, as Professor Schaaffhausen has remarked,¹⁸ will no doubt be exterminated. The break between man and his nearest allies will then be wider, for it will intervene between man in a more civilised state, as we may hope, even than the Caucasian, and some ape as low as a baboon, instead of as now between the negro or Australian and the gorilla.” (Page 336)

“In these works he upholds the doctrine that all species, including man, are descended from other species” (Page 1)

“With highly civilised nations continued progress depends in a subordinate degree on natural selection; for such nations do not supplant and exterminate one another as do savage tribes. Nevertheless the more intelligent members within the same community will succeed better in the long run than the inferior, and leave a more numerous progeny, and this is a form of natural selection. The more efficient causes of progress seem to consist of a good education during youth whilst the brain is impressible, and of a high standard of excellence, inculcated by the ablest and best men, embodied in the laws, customs and traditions of the nation, and enforced by public opinion.” (Page 328)

Product Details

• Title: The Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection and The Descent of Man and Selection in Relation to Sex
• Author: Charles Darwin
• Edition: Second Edition
• Series: Great Books of the Western World
• Volume: 49
• Publishers: Robert P. Gwinn, Encyclopedia Britannica
• Print Publication Date: 1990
• Logos Release Date: 2016
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subjects: Evolution (Biology); Natural selection; Heredity; Human beings › Origin
• ISBNs: 0852295316, 9780852295311
• Resource ID: LLS:GBWW49
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-30T00:11:44Z

About Charles Darwin

Charles Darwin (1809–1882) was an English naturalist and geologist best known for his contributions to the field of evolutionary biology. After sailing around the world on the HMS Beagle in 1831, Darwin wrote On the Origin of Species, which put forth his theory of natural selection.