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

From Publishers Weekly

Dennett's philosophical argument in support of Darwinism was a National Book Award finalist.

Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Dennett, the author of Consciousness Explained (Little, Brown, 1991) and director of the left for Cognitive Studies at Tufts University, challenges us to examine Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection with renewed, emphatic vigor. Current controversies associated with the origin of life, sociobiology, punctuated equilibrium, the evolution of culture and language, and evolutionary ethics are investigated rigorously within the context of Darwinian science and philosophy. Dennett challenges the ideas of several imminent scientists, including Roger Penrose and Stephen Jay Gould, who, Dennett asserts, tend to limit the power or implications of Darwin's dangerous ideas. Gould's influential publications have contributed to a seriously distorted perception of evolutionary biology, according to Dennett. As he explores issues of morality and consciousness, Dennett essentially extends the theories of natural selection far beyond the biological disciplines. Dennett's assertions and ideas stimulate. Enthusiastically recommended for scholars, specialists, and informed lay readers.

-?Donald G. Frank, Georgia Inst. of Technology, Atlanta

Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

The Wall Street Journal

Dennett is a philosopher of rare originality, rigor, and wit. Here he does one of the things philosophers are supposed to be good at: clearing up conceptual muddles in the sciences.

From Booklist

In 1991 Dennett wrote Consciousness Explained, and it so burned up the religious minded they tagged it Consciousness Explained Away. Here, Dennett presses forward the implications of natural selection (the "dangerous idea" ) in a presentation most readers will find rather technical, but for those who persevere, understanding of its mechanisms, particularly the algorithms by which natural selection operates, should gradually sink in. Understanding is facilitated by Dennett's cogent organization, which accounts for all possible evolutionary outcomes (a virtual infinity of possibilities dubbed Design Space), followed by his explanation of the relentless, purposeless winnowing that results in the life-forms that exist today. Yet, however persuasive Dennett's view is, not all evolutionists share it, namely the oft-cited Stephen Gould, and readers who enjoy argumentativeness can follow Dennett blasting Gould's idea of "punctuated equilibrium" for dozens of pages. Ending with a Nietzschean explanation for human morals, Dennett's deep-diving work challenges studious readers but should survive the struggle for shelf space in big, highly evolved libraries. Gilbert Taylor --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

James Moore

coauthor of Darwin

A brilliant piece of persuasion, excitingly argued and compulsively readable. Its lucid metaphors and charming analogies are reminiscent of On the Origin of Species.

Carl Sagan

The Washington Post Book World



A breath of fresh air.

Richard Dawkins

author of The Blind Watchmaker

A surpassingly brilliant book. Where creative, it lifts the reader to new intellectual heights. Where critical, it is devastating.

Richard Rorty

Lingua Franca



One of our most original and most readable philosophers....Once in a blue moon an analytic philosopher comes along who redeems his subdiscipline by combining professional persnicketiness with a romantic spirit, a vivid imagination, and a sense of humor.



John Gribbin

Sunday Times, London

This is the best single-author overview of all the implications of evolution by natural selection available....Lucid and entertaining.

Jim Holt

The Wall Street Journal

Dennett is a philosopher of rare originality, rigor, and wit. Here he does one of the things philosophers are supposed to be good at: clearing up conceptual muddles in the sciences.

Review

John Gribbin Sunday Times, London This is the best single-author overview of all the implications of evolution by natural selection available....Lucid and entertaining.

Book Description

In a book that is both groundbreaking and accessible, Daniel C. Dennett, whom Chet Raymo of The Boston Globe calls "one of the most provocative thinkers on the planet," focuses his unerringly logical mind on the theory of natural selection, showing how Darwin's great idea transforms and illuminates our traditional view of humanity's place in the universe. Dennett vividly describes the theory itself and then extends Darwin's vision with impeccable arguments to their often surprising conclusions, challenging the views of some of the most famous scientists of our day.

About the Author

Daniel Dennett is the author of Brainstorms, Elbow Room, and Consciousness Explained. He is currently the Distinguished Arts and Sciences Professor and Director of the left for Cognitive Studies at Tufts University. He lives in North Andover, Massachusetts, with his wife and has two children.

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Life has always had the meaning that one gives to it. As for evolution and morality that is irrelevant. Nature is neither moral nor immoral.

Darwin didn't coin the term 'social darwinism'

So there are no social implications in the evolution of the species theory

Enough said

Some feel a need to clamor aboard a soapbox......why?

Personally, I appreciate the post and look forward to reading it.

Thanks very much.

Great post! Thanx

Thank you, a great book.

@Foub

Are you freak of nature? if you are, you are neither moral nor immoral, you have no concience,

you have no soul!

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