Man's Place In The Universe: A Study Of The Results Of Scientific Research In Relation To The Unity Or Plurality Of Worlds

by Alfred Russel Wallace

""Man's Place in the Universe"" is a scientific study written by Alfred Russel Wallace that explores the question of whether there is only one inhabited planet in the universe or if there are multiple. Wallace examines the results of scientific research, including astronomy, geology, and biology, to determine if life exists beyond Earth. He considers the possibility of life on other planets and the implications of such a discovery on religious and philosophical beliefs. The book also delves into the history of scientific thought on the subject and the various theories proposed throughout the centuries. Ultimately, Wallace concludes that while there is no concrete evidence of life on other planets, the vastness of the universe suggests that it is likely that there are other inhabited worlds. ""Man's Place in the Universe"" is a thought-provoking and insightful exploration of one of the most fundamental questions of human existence.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.

360 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Alfred Russel Wallace, OM, FRS was a British naturalist, explorer, geographer, anthropologist and biologist. He is best known for independently proposing a theory of natural selection which prompted Charles Darwin to publish his own theory.

Wallace did extensive fieldwork, first in the Amazon River basin and then in the Malay Archipelago, where he identified the Wallace Line that divides Indonesia into two distinct parts, one in which animals closely related to those of Australia are common, and one in which the species are largely of Asian origin. He was considered the 19th century's leading expert on the geographical distribution of animal species and is sometimes called the "father of biogeography". Wallace was one of the leading evolutionary thinkers of the 19th century and made a number of other contributions to the development of evolutionary theory besides being co-discoverer of natural selection. These included the concept of warning colouration in animals, and the Wallace effect, a hypothesis on how natural selection could contribute to speciation by encouraging the development of barriers against hybridization.

Wallace was strongly attracted to unconventional ideas. His advocacy of Spiritualism and his belief in a non-material origin for the higher mental faculties of humans strained his relationship with the scientific establishment, especially with other early proponents of evolution. In addition to his scientific work, he was a social activist who was critical of what he considered to be an unjust social and economic system in 19th-century Britain. His interest in biogeography resulted in his being one of the first prominent scientists to raise concerns over the environmental impact of human activity. Wallace was a prolific author who wrote on both scientific and social issues; his account of his adventures and observations during his explorations in Indonesia and Malaysia, The Malay Archipelago, was one of the most popular and influential journals of scientific exploration published during the 19th century.

Reviews

[John Yelverton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting collection of astronomical facts with interesting conclusions. Some of the facts are out dated and some of the hypotheses are faulty, but it is definitely an eye opening read concerning the uniqueness of planet Earth in the cosmos.