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Adaptation and Natural Selection

A Critique of Some Current Evolutionary Thought
By George Christopher Williams
Series: Princeton Science Library
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Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Adaptation and Natural Selection presents a compelling defence of Darwinian evolution, challenging the controversial idea of group selection by arguing that natural selection acts primarily on individuals rather than entire species. Originally published in 1966, the book provides a thorough, convincing argument for simple Darwinism and remains relevant across multiple scientific disciplines. A new foreword by Richard Dawkins highlights its lasting importance in understanding scientific debates on evolution.
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Format: Paperback / softback
$6999

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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

Ideal for students, educators, and scholars interested in evolutionary biology, scientific theory, and the history of science. Essential reading for those seeking a clear, scholarly argument on natural selection versus group selection.

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Originally published: 1966. With new foreword. [First] Princeton science library edition, with new preface by the author, A1996.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Biological evolution is a fact, but the many conflicting theories of evolution remain controversial even today.

When Adaptation and Natural Selection was first published in 1966, it struck a powerful blow against those who argued for the concept of group selection—the idea that evolution acts to select entire species rather than individuals.

Williams's famous work in favour of simple Darwinism over group selection has become a classic of science literature, valued for its thorough and convincing argument and its relevance to many fields outside of biology.

Now with a new foreword by Richard Dawkins, Adaptation and Natural Selection is an essential text for understanding the nature of scientific debate.

Series: Princeton Science Library

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Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

R. C. Lewontin praised the book as a "beautifully written and excellently reasoned essay" defending Darwinian selection, while L. B. Slobodkin called it "an exciting, significant, and important work" that will have a beneficial influence on biology and is a "carefully constructed, scholarly work."

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780691182865

Publisher: Princeton University Press

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 30 October 2018

Country: United States

Imprint: Princeton University Press

Contributors:

  • Foreword by Richard Dawkins

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 140.0mm

Height: 216.0mm

Weight: 250g

Pages: 336

Collections

Education & Reference George Christopher Williams Non-Fiction Science & Nature Series: Princeton Science Library

About the Author

George C. Williams (19262010) was professor emeritus of ecology and evolution at the State University of New York at Stony Brook. Richard Dawkins is professor emeritus at the University of Oxford. An evolutionary biologist, he is the bestselling author of many books, including The Selfish Gene, The God Delusion, and The Extended Phenotype.

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