Developmental Dynamics in Humans and Other Primates
Discovering Evolutionary Principles through Comparative Morphology
Published on 25. August 2005
Book
Paperback/Softback
432 pages
978-0-932776-29-7 (ISBN)
Description
In this book, Jos Verhulst expands on the evolutionary theory first proposed by Louis Bolk. The theory is based on the premise that aspects of the individual creatures' development -- from juveniles to adults -- are also at work in animal evolution as a whole.
Verhulst shows that, unlike other primates -- who start out with a rather humanlike form but become, say, apes -- humans retain their original fetal form. Standing Darwinism on its head, he argues that humans have not descended from apes, but rather that apes have evolved by diverging from a humanlike prototype.
He also proposes that the gradually emerging human prototype is the driving force, and central trunk, of the evolutionary tree -- the wellspring from which the animal world has sprung.
Verhulst shows that, unlike other primates -- who start out with a rather humanlike form but become, say, apes -- humans retain their original fetal form. Standing Darwinism on its head, he argues that humans have not descended from apes, but rather that apes have evolved by diverging from a humanlike prototype.
He also proposes that the gradually emerging human prototype is the driving force, and central trunk, of the evolutionary tree -- the wellspring from which the animal world has sprung.
Reviews / Votes
'Most remarkable is the way in which Conford demonstraes the rich interactions between the organic movement and wide range of other tendencies in intellectual endeavour, social and economic change, and politicalo struggle.'-- Timothy Cooper, University of Exeter
'A tour de force: a refreshingly original, profound and thought-provoking synthesis rooted in impressive scholarship. Creative science at its best.'
-- Martin Lockley, Professor of Palaeontology, University of Colorado
'An astounding wealth of little-noted facts. Though some readers may not agree with his conclusions, all will find the rich content extremely thought-provoking.'
-- Wolfgang Schad, Professor of Morphology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Witten, Germany
'Verhulst argues convincingly that there is more to evolution than just Darwinian natural selection. If you are in any way curious about our origins, I invite you to read this book.'
-- Kenneth J. McNamara, Senior Curator, Invertebrate Palaeontology, Western Australia Museum
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Illustrations
177 line drawings
Dimensions
Height: 221 mm
Width: 156 mm
Thickness: 23 mm
Weight
607 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-932776-29-7 (9780932776297)
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
Persons
Jos Verhulst was born in Belgium in 1949. He has a PhD in theoretical chemistry and has been widely published in the areas of evolutionary theory and comparative anatomy. He teaches science at the Waldorf School in Antwerp, Belgium.
Content
1. Basic Issues in Human Evolution
2. Fetalization and Retardation
3. Growth and Retardation
4. The Animal Element in Humans
5. The Upper Limbs
6. Uprightness
7. The Organs of the Thorax
8. Human Reproduction
9. The Facial Skull
10. The Phenomenon of Synergistic Composition
2. Fetalization and Retardation
3. Growth and Retardation
4. The Animal Element in Humans
5. The Upper Limbs
6. Uprightness
7. The Organs of the Thorax
8. Human Reproduction
9. The Facial Skull
10. The Phenomenon of Synergistic Composition