DARWIN'S PHILOSOPHICAL LEGACY
"This is an interesting and controversial take on Darwinism and its philosophical implications and legacy. Clearly written, it will undoubtedly promote lively discussion even by those who do not agree with the author’s conclusions. Recommended, especially for those who want to learn more about the issues."
— Michael Ruse, Florida State University
Founder of the Journal of Biology and Philosophy
"Gerard M. Verschuuren provides a first-rate analysis of Darwin’s philosophical legacy, especially in terms of a balanced assessment of Darwin’s argument and the assumptions underlying it. Verschuuren paints a portraiture of Darwin that includes the full spectrum of colors—both pleasing to the eye and not.
The outcome is a very vibrant and clear book, which gives the reader a fair sense of the impact Darwin’s notion of evolution has had upon understanding ourselves and our place in nature. Overall, Verschuuren provides a novel and credible exploration of Darwin’s legacy from a philosophical perspective."
— James Marcum, Professor of Philosophy
Director of Baylor's Medical Humanities program
Baylor University
"In Darwin’s Philosophical Legacy, Gerard Verschuuren develops a point-counterpoint dialectic that is didactically effective to explain some fundamental tenets of the theory of evolution and their abuse by theories such as racism, Social Darwinism, Intelligent Design, and the like.
A fascinating book. Read Darwin’s Philosophical Legacy, you’ll learn and enjoy it."
— Francisco J. Ayala, Professor of Biology
Donald Bren Professor of Biological Sciences
University of California, Irvine
"At the core of the biological sciences, evolution is the thread that links anatomy to molecular biology, ecology to biochemistry, and paleontology to development. But it is also an idea whose philosophical impact has transcended biology to influence both the social sciences and the humanities.
As Gerard Verschuuren makes clear, this influence has not always been for the better. Serious ideas have serious consequences, and readers interested in evolution's powerful philosophical legacies will find this provocative new work a must-read."
— Kenneth R. Miller, Professor of Biology
Brown University