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OVERVIEW OF ON THE ORIGIN OF SPECIES
(First edition, 1859)
[The Origin of Species] "is one long argument" (from Darwin's Autobiography)
Note: Whewell & Bacon epigraphs as well as the subtitle.*
[The Origin of Species] "is one long argument" (from Darwin's Autobiography)
Note: Whewell & Bacon epigraphs as well as the subtitle.*
INTRODUCTION: "throw some light on the origin of species‚ that mystery of mysteries" (p. 1)
THE BASIC ARGUMENT -- Chapters 1-4
1. Variation under domestication—"the key is man's power of accumulative selection" (p. 30)
2. Variation under nature—"No[t all] the individuals of the same species are cast in the same mould" (p. 45)
3. The struggle for existence: "It is the doctrine of Malthus applied with manifold force" (p. 63)
4. Natural selection: "This preservation of favourable variations and the rejection of injurious variations" (p. 81)
APPARENT DIFFICULTIES -- Chapters 5-9
5. Laws of variation—"Our ignorance of the laws of variation is profound." (p. 167 )
6. Difficulties of the theory—"why ... do we not everywhere see innumerable transitional forms?" (p. 171)
7. Instinct—"instincts are as important [in my theory] as corporeal structure (p. 209)
8. Hybridism—"... sterility [between species] is not a specially acquired or endowed quality, but is incidental on other acquired differences" (p. 245)
9. On the imperfection of the geological record—"Why then is not every geological formation and every stratum full of such intermediate links" (p. 280)
"CONSILIENCE" -- Chapters 10-14
10. On the geological succession of organic beings—"the fauna of each geological period undoubtedly is intermediate in character, between the preceding and succeeding faunas (p. 334); He who rejects these views on the nature of the geological record will rightly reject my whole theory" (p. 342)
11 & 12. Geographical distribution—"On my theory these relations throughout time and space are intelligible" (p. 410)
13. Mutual affinities of organic beings: morphology: embryology: rudimentary organs—"propinquity of descent [is] the only known cause of the similarity of organic beings" (p. 413)
14. Recapitulation and conclusion—"light will be thrown on the origin of man and his history" (p. 488)
11 & 12. Geographical distribution—"On my theory these relations throughout time and space are intelligible" (p. 410)
13. Mutual affinities of organic beings: morphology: embryology: rudimentary organs—"propinquity of descent [is] the only known cause of the similarity of organic beings" (p. 413)
14. Recapitulation and conclusion—"light will be thrown on the origin of man and his history" (p. 488)
* Epigraphs --
"But with regard to the material world, we can at least go so far as this -- we can perceive that events are brought about not by insulated interpositions of Divine power, exerted in each particular case, but by the establishment of general laws."
W. Whewell, Bridgewater Treatise.
"To conclude, therefore, let no man out of a weak conceit of sobriety, or an ill-applied moderation, think or maintain, that a man can search too far or be too well studied in the book of God's word, or in the book of God's works; divinity or philosophy; but rather let men endeavour an endless progress or proficience in both."
F. Bacon, Advancement of Learning
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