The Spirit of System: Lamarck and Evolutionary Biology

by Richard Burkhardt

Overview

Jean-Baptiste Lamarck was a biological Janus, at once a highly competent taxonomist in a traditional mold and a bold, almost visionary, philosopher of nature who aspired to contrive an all-embracing "physics of the earth" by sheer force of intellect. Lamarck is generally remembered only for his ideas about the inheritance of acquired characters, ideas he did not originate or take special credit for, ideas that were only one part of his broad theory of evolution. In this, the first modern book-length study of Lamarck, Richard Burkhardt examines the origin and development of Lamarck's theory of organic evolution, the major theory prior to Darwin.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780674731455
Publisher:	Harvard
Publication date:	01/01/1977
Edition description:	2nd Printing 1995. Reprint 2014 ed.
Pages:	320
Product dimensions:	6.14(w) x 9.21(h) x 0.75(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Burkhardt Richard :

Richard W. Burkhardt, Jr., is Professor of History Emeritus, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.

Editorial Reviews

It is a great relief to have at last a good book on Lamarck in English, neither partisan through patriotism, nor distorted by dislike of Darwin. Burkhardt gives us an excellent introduction to Lamarck, his contemporaries and predecessors, and to the scientific bodies and institutions in revolutionary Paris...Exceptionally well written.

From the Publisher

It is a great relief to have at last a good book on Lamarck in English, neither partisan through patriotism, nor distorted by dislike of Darwin. Burkhardt gives us an excellent introduction to Lamarck, his contemporaries and predecessors, and to the scientific bodies and institutions in revolutionary Paris...Exceptionally well written.

Nature