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The Evolutionary Synthesis: Perspectives on the Unification of Biology, With a New Preface
Biology was forged into a single, coherent science only within living memory. In this volume the thinkers responsible for the “modern synthesis” of evolutionary biology and genetics come together to analyze that remarkable event.
In a new Preface, Ernst Mayr calls attention to the fact that scientists in different biological disciplines varied considerably in their degree of acceptance of Darwin’s theories. Mayr shows us that these differences were played out in four separate 1859 to 1899, 1900 to 1915, 1916 to 1936, and 1937 to 1947. He thus enables us to understand fully why the synthesis was necessary and why Darwin’s original theory―that evolutionary change is due to the combination of variation and selection―is as solid at the end of the twentieth century as it was in 1859.
In a new Preface, Ernst Mayr calls attention to the fact that scientists in different biological disciplines varied considerably in their degree of acceptance of Darwin’s theories. Mayr shows us that these differences were played out in four separate 1859 to 1899, 1900 to 1915, 1916 to 1936, and 1937 to 1947. He thus enables us to understand fully why the synthesis was necessary and why Darwin’s original theory―that evolutionary change is due to the combination of variation and selection―is as solid at the end of the twentieth century as it was in 1859.
504 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1980
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
August 24, 2009
A series of essays from around the world on the History of the Evolutionary Synthesis published in 1980. In Tennessee the teaching of the origins of human evolution was only repealed in 1967 (The Butler Act):
PUBLIC ACTS OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE
PASSED BY THE SIXTY - FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY 1925
CHAPTER NO. 27
House Bill No. 185
(By Mr. Butler)
AN ACT prohibiting the teaching of the Evolution Theory in all the Universities, Normals and all other public schools of Tennessee, which are supported in whole or in part by the public school funds of the State, and to provide penalties for the violations thereof.
Section 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Tennessee, That it shall be unlawful for any teacher in any of the Universities, Normals and all other public schools of the State which are supported in whole or in part by the public school funds of the State, to teach any theory that denies the story of the Divine Creation of man as taught in the Bible, and to teach instead that man has descended from a lower order of animals.
Section 2. Be it further enacted, That any teacher found guilty of the violation of this Act, Shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction, shall be fined not less than One Hundred $ (100.00) Dollars nor more than Five Hundred ($ 500.00) Dollars for each offense.
Section 3. Be it further enacted, That this Act take effect from and after its passage, the public welfare requiring it.
Passed March 13, 1925
W. F. Barry,
Speaker of the House of Representatives
L. D. Hill,
Speaker of the Senate
Approved March 21, 1925.
Austin Peay,
Governor.
PUBLIC ACTS OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE
PASSED BY THE EIGHTY - FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY 1967
________
CHAPTER NO. 237
House Bill No. 48
(By Smith, Galbreath, Bradley)
SUBSTITUTED FOR : SENATE BILL NO. 46
(By Elam)
AN ACT to repeal Section 498 - 1922, Tennessee Code Annotated, prohibiting the teaching of evolution.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Tennessee :
Section 1. Section 49 - 1922, Tennessee Code Annotated, is repealed.
Section 2. This Act shall take effect September 1, 1967.
Passed : May 13, 1967
James H. Cummings,
Speaker of the House of Representatives
Frank C. Gorrell,
Speaker of the Senate
Approved : May 17, 1967.
Buford Ellington,
Governor.
PUBLIC ACTS OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE
PASSED BY THE SIXTY - FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY 1925
CHAPTER NO. 27
House Bill No. 185
(By Mr. Butler)
AN ACT prohibiting the teaching of the Evolution Theory in all the Universities, Normals and all other public schools of Tennessee, which are supported in whole or in part by the public school funds of the State, and to provide penalties for the violations thereof.
Section 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Tennessee, That it shall be unlawful for any teacher in any of the Universities, Normals and all other public schools of the State which are supported in whole or in part by the public school funds of the State, to teach any theory that denies the story of the Divine Creation of man as taught in the Bible, and to teach instead that man has descended from a lower order of animals.
Section 2. Be it further enacted, That any teacher found guilty of the violation of this Act, Shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction, shall be fined not less than One Hundred $ (100.00) Dollars nor more than Five Hundred ($ 500.00) Dollars for each offense.
Section 3. Be it further enacted, That this Act take effect from and after its passage, the public welfare requiring it.
Passed March 13, 1925
W. F. Barry,
Speaker of the House of Representatives
L. D. Hill,
Speaker of the Senate
Approved March 21, 1925.
Austin Peay,
Governor.
PUBLIC ACTS OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE
PASSED BY THE EIGHTY - FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY 1967
________
CHAPTER NO. 237
House Bill No. 48
(By Smith, Galbreath, Bradley)
SUBSTITUTED FOR : SENATE BILL NO. 46
(By Elam)
AN ACT to repeal Section 498 - 1922, Tennessee Code Annotated, prohibiting the teaching of evolution.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Tennessee :
Section 1. Section 49 - 1922, Tennessee Code Annotated, is repealed.
Section 2. This Act shall take effect September 1, 1967.
Passed : May 13, 1967
James H. Cummings,
Speaker of the House of Representatives
Frank C. Gorrell,
Speaker of the Senate
Approved : May 17, 1967.
Buford Ellington,
Governor.
August 6, 2016
Un libro fundamental en biología evolutiva, que pone en perspectiva el darwinismo y el neodarwinismo. Desafortunadamente, hay poca divulgación de la nueva síntesis, seguramente porque bastante se sufre en la pelea con los creacionistas del "diseño inteligente".
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews