What is the origin of species?

On the Origin of Species (or, more completely, On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, or the Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life), published on 24 November 1859, is a work of scientific literature by Charles Darwin that is considered to be the foundation of evolutionary biology.

What is the main thesis for Charles Darwin’s On the Origin of Species?

Darwin’s theory argued that organisms gradually evolve through a process he called “natural selection.” In natural selection, organisms with genetic variations that suit their environment tend to propagate more descendants than organisms of the same species that lack the variation, thus influencing the overall genetic …

Is the origin of species worth reading?

It is definitely worth reading. Like others have said, there are parts that are dry and outdated, but I am very happy I took the time to read it a few years back. I highly recommend picking up the illustrated edition that was released for the 150th anniversary of the book. Made my experience more enjoyable.

Why did Darwin write the Origin of Species?

Fearing the fate of other scientists, like Copernicus and Galileo, who had published radical scientific theories, Darwin held off publishing his theory of natural selection for years. …

How difficult is the origin of species?

There’s a lot of repetition and a lot of intricate detail, and Darwin does sometimes drone on. It’s not hard to understand language-wise, but it is definitely verbose. It’s a great book overall, but I found it to be a slow read. All that said, I highly recommend it for interested readers.

Which edition of Origin of Species is best?

In his interview on evolution, evolutionary biologist and author Jerry Coyne recommended the ‘annotated’ version of the Origin of Species “which is a facsimile of the First Edition (the best edition for general readers), with marginal notes that explain the hard bits.”

Is Darwin’s Origin of Species easy to read?

So as a scientist who’s likely to be curious about how much Darwin got right, and who probably wants to be able to trace back modern ideas to their Darwinian roots, you’ll want to read the first edition. The first edition also is shorter, clearer, and more tightly argued, making it an easier read.

Which edition of On the Origin of Species is best?

Why is origin of species important?

Written more than 150 years ago, it was a book that upended the way human beings think about where they came from, challenged millennia of religious dogma and left people wondering whether there really was a god.

Is On the Origin of Species still relevant?

Even though On the Origin of Species was written 150 years ago, Charles Darwin’s ideas are still considered to be the foundations for the theory of evolution and natural selection. It is amazing how the majority of this knowledge not only doesn’t contradict Darwin’s ideas, but also actually supports it.

Who is the editor of On the Origin of Species?

On the Origin of Species by Charles Darwin Adigitaleditionofthe1859LondonOriginofSpecies Adam M. Goldstein,editor “Nowletusseehowthisprincipleofgreatbenefitbeingderivedfromdivergence ofcharacter,combinedwiththeprinciplesofnaturalselectionandofextinction, willtendtoact….Theaccompanyingdiagramwillaidusinunderstanding thisratherperplexingsubject.”

How big is On the Origin of Species?

New York : American Museum of Natural History, 2011. 1 fig., xxxii + 298 pp. Computer data (1 file: 6,400,000 bytes). Represents a printed book; suitable for download, printing. Includes editor’s introduction, index. PDF v. 1.5 created by LATEX with hyperref package, encoded with pdfTEX-1.40.11.

When did Charles Darwin publish On the Origin of Species?

e. On the Origin of Species (or, more completely, On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, or the Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life ), published on 24 November 1859, is a work of scientific literature by Charles Darwin that is considered to be the foundation of evolutionary biology.

Why was the idea of the transmutation of species controversial?

Ideas about the transmutation of species were controversial as they conflicted with the beliefs that species were unchanging parts of a designed hierarchy and that humans were unique, unrelated to other animals. The political and theological implications were intensely debated, but transmutation was not accepted by the scientific mainstream.