Monad to Man: The Concept of Progress in Evolutionary Biology [Paperback]

Michael Ruse (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 31, 2009

The idea of evolution: it fascinates some of us, disturbs others, and leaves only a very few people indifferent. In a major new interpretation of evolutionary theory, Michael Ruse pinpoints the common source of this attraction and discomfort. A renowned writer on evolutionary theory and its history, Ruse has long been sensitive to the fact that many people--and not simply religious enthusiasts--find something deeply troubling about much of what passes for science in evolutionary circles. What causes this tension, he finds in his search of evolutionism's 250-year history, is the intimate relationship between evolution and the secular ideology of progress.

Ubiquitous in Darwin's time, the idea of an unceasing improvement in life insinuated its way into evolutionary theory from the first. In interviews with today's major figures in evolutionary biology--including Stephen Jay Gould, Edward O. Wilson, Ernst Mayr, and John Maynard Smith--and in an intimate look at the discoveries and advances in the history and philosophy of science, Ruse finds this belief just as prevalent today--however it might be denied or obscured. His book traces the delicate line between those who argue that science is and must be objective and those who deem science a "social construction" in the fashion of religion or the rest of culture. It offers an unparalleled account of evolutionary theory, from popular books to museums to the most complex theorizing, at a time when its status as science is under greater scrutiny than ever before.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Evolution has stirred heated social debate from before the time of Darwin to the present, perhaps especially today. Ruse, a philosopher of bioethics and evolutionary biology at the University of Guelph, Ontario, discusses the influence of biological and social progressionist thought on the primary figures in the development of evolutionary theory. He also explores the role of progress in the development of the discipline from popular to professional science. Ruse confines himself to the biological realm of evolution and avoids the evolution vs. creation debate. From historical research to interviews with today's leading evolutionary biologists, Ruse's book mirrors the lively debates throughout the history of the field. Though not necessarily designed for general audiences, this thought-provoking and readable book is highly recommended for larger general as well as advanced undergraduate collections.?Bruce D. Neville, Univ. of New Mexico Lib., Albuquerque
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

What is your favourite model of biological evolution? Whether it is rungs on a ladder, the ever-branching tree, or even the more modern image of movement between peaks in a 'fitness landscape', chances are it treats time in just one way: later means better...The idea of evolution was the child of the hopes of progress, as Michael Ruse puts it in Monad to Man, his impressive 'philosophical history' of these notions...Ruse tracks down [this] tendency in the work of innumerable writers...All this makes [his] book a superb summary of the views of every major evolutionist. The result is unfailingly interesting. Ruse presents much to argue with, both for aficionados of evolution and for theorists of science.
--Jon Turney (New Scientist )

[A] fascinating, and often maddening book...[Ruse] traces the history of evolutionary thought from Aristotle to Stephen Jay Gould and E. O. Wilson...[Ruse's book] gives us much to think about: the concept of evolution and the evolution of concepts, progress in nature and the nature of progress.
--Lucy Horwitz (Boston Book Review )

Ruse provides a history of evolutionary biology from its inception to its belated maturity that is full of insight.
--David L. Hull (Nature )

Michael Ruse has written an important book on the status of evolutionism that will almost certainly become embroiled in controversy.
--Peter J. Bowler (American Scientist )

Based on comparisons of professional and popular literature and interviews with leading theoreticians, this book presents a thorough overview and synthesis of evolutionary biology. Of significant heuristic value in the debate of the Western predeliction for the concept of progress as it applies to evolutionary theory. Sensitive to concerns of many non-scientists for the science of evolutionary biology. Extensive literature cited section. Very detailed and interesting accounts of the many people who have contributed to science of evolutionary biology. (Northeastern Naturalist )

With verve, humor and much historical color, [Ruse] traces the conflict between the popular conception of evolution and the professionally legitimate version.
--Jeffrey Marsh (Washington Times )

What Ruse produces is a grand review, an interesting and informative survey.
--Arthur B. Cody (Toronto Globe & Mail )

Monad to Man will be controversial not because of its implications for social and ethical issues, but because of what it says about the scientific study of evolutionary biology...Ruse's writing style is bluff, unselfconscious, and opinionated...[It] does detract from the appearance of neutrality. But it adds immeasurably to the literary value of the book. Monad to Man combines the sweeping history of the science of evolution with intricate details about individual scientists' researches, prejudices, and personal lives...The result is a richly textured narrative...Ruse has certainly established that the ideas of evolution and progress have been closely linked. His thesis that the profession of biology has been shaped by scientists' embarrassment about this linkage will be the focus of further debate. In the meantime he has given us a rich and compelling narrative of the personalities and ideas that shaped the history of evolutionary biology.
--Ron Amundson (British Journal for the Philosophy of Science )

The historical and conceptual richness of Ruse's treatment makes it inspiring reading. The book is not intended as a definitive history of evolutionary science. Rather it is a kaleidoscope of events and reflections meant to suggest new questions and inspire further research.
--Nils Roll-Hansen (Nuncius [Italy] )

From historical research to interviews with today's leading evolutionary biologists, Ruse's book mirrors the lively debates throughout the history of the field...This thought-provoking and readable book is highly recommended. (Library Journal )

A book that will instruct, excite, and infuriate a large readership. It makes for compelling reading, even if at times you want to throw it across the room.
--Robert J. Richards, University of Chicago

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Product Details

• Paperback: 648 pages
• Publisher: Harvard University Press (March 31, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0674032489
• ISBN-13: 978-0674032484
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.2 x 1.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,918,537 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars His pet peeve, May 11, 2002

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"michaeleve" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Monad to Man: The Concept of Progress in Evolutionary Biology (Hardcover)

This massive bit of research into the history of evolutionary thought represents Michael Ruse's attempt to convince fellow scientists to show interest in what he sees as two fundamental issues in evolutionism. The first is the dissonance between it and other scientific enquiries. More specifically Ruse is concerned about the indifference physicists, chemists, and other scientists engaged in the "practical" sciences show towards evolution. They hardly care about evolution's focus on origins and are instead interested in their own experiments. The second issue is Ruse's pet peeve. It is the tendency, which he says he can trace back 250 years, for evolutionism to be influenced by cultural values. More specifically, Ruse says that the idea of social progress has always had a close relationship with evolution. This is the subject which he explores for the vast majority of the book.

The best encapsulation of this idea of Progress (which Ruse describes with a capital "P" to emphasize its significance)is its movement from the simplest biological form to the most complex. Thus we have from MONAD TO MAN. Ruse says that the idea "that there will be an ongoing improvement of human society through human effort was the parent idea of evolution, which was taken to have at its heart the idea of biological progress." He shows that it was in fact the norm in Darwin's time. But is it still so today, and of critical importance to readers of this book, does Ruse make a convincing argument that it is so? More importantly still, does he make a case to convince his fellow scientists to care? I say yes to the first part (and at over 600 pages his book had better be convincing!) He points out that from about the 1950's there was a shift and evolutionary science became more objective. Ruse is very convincing in showing that this was not as a result of scientists giving up belief in social or biological Progress, but merely the suppressing of these ideas at the behest of professionalizers.

I doubt that he's convinced too many of his colleagues though. It seems instead that he's annoyed them. One scientist commenting on the book in the "National Review" said Ruse's belief that progress was a cultural value was a "stretch" and that "to suggest as he does that such a belief actually affects the content of contemporary evolutionary biology is simply unjustified." I'd suggest you read and decide for yourself. It's worth it considereing some of the present day scientists he interviewed and whose work he looks at - Stephen Jay Gould, Ernst Mayr, John Maynard Smith, and E.O. Wilson. The only caveat is the size of the book and that in making sure that he's not a "popularizer" himself, Ruse does not write with the general reader in mind.