Evolution and Ethics
Published on 26. April 2009
Book
Paperback/Softback
160 pages
978-0-691-14130-5 (ISBN)
Description
Thomas Henry Huxley (1825-1895) was one of the most prominent evolutionists of the late nineteenth century. A close companion of Charles Darwin, Huxley developed a reputation as "Darwin's Bulldog" for his relentless defense of evolutionary theory. Huxley was also an ardent supporter of social reform, particularly in his call for quality education at all levels. Evolution and Ethics, widely considered to be his greatest lecture, distilled a lifetime's wisdom and sensitive understanding of the nature and needs of humankind. Arguing that the human psyche is at war with itself, that humans are alienated in the cosmos, and that moral societies are necessarily in conflict with the natural conditions of their existence, Huxley nevertheless saw moral dictates as the key to future human happiness and success. This new edition features an introduction by renowned historian and philosopher of biology Michael Ruse, placing Huxley's lecture in its original context while showing its even deeper relevance for our own time.
Reviews / Votes
Praise for Princeton's previous edition: "For Huxley, natural selection is not to be deemed a mixed blessing; rather, it is a damnable mix."--Arthur Falk, Humanist Praise for Princeton's previous edition: "Reading Huxley's text again is a pleasure and a double reminder ... that we're no closer than the Victorians to a comfortable understanding of our place in nature ... [and] that Huxley ... could contextualize [his] thinking ... with respect to a vast array of cultural and intellectual traditions [he] knew and respected. Few today could do that as Huxley does."--Archie Mancato, Nineteenth-Century Contexts Praise for Princeton's previous edition: "Describing the struggle for existence in nature, Darwin tells us that 'we may console ourselves with the full belief ... that the vigorous, the healthy, and the happy survive and multiply.' Thomas Henry Huxley presents a more pessimistic interpretation."--Allan Larson, TREE "[T]he reissuing of Evolution and Ethics serves as a timely reminder of Huxley's important contribution to debates about evolution more broadly and his ongoing relevance to disciplines from biology to philosophy to psychology."--Brett Bowden, European LegacyMore details
Edition
Revised edition
Language
English
Place of publication
New Jersey
United States
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Edition type
Revised edition
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Dimensions
Height: 171 mm
Width: 113 mm
Thickness: 17 mm
Weight
154 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-691-14130-5 (9780691141305)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Thomas Henry Huxley | Michael Ruse
Evolution and Ethics
E-Book
06/2024
1st Edition
Princeton University Press
€28.99
Available for download
Thomas Henry Huxley | Michael Ruse
Evolution and Ethics
Book
04/2009
Princeton University Press
€52.00
Article exhausted; check different version
Persons
Michael Ruse is the Lucyle T. Werkmeister Professor of Philosophy at Florida State University. His many books include "Darwinism and Its Discontents" and "Darwin and Design".
Content
Introduction vii Acknowledgments xxxvii A Note about the Text xxxix Evolution and Ethics Prolegomena to Evolution and Ethics 1 Evolution and Ethics 46 Notes 87 Editor's Notes 117 Further Reading 121 Index 125