The Spirit of System: Lamarck and Evolutionary Biology [Paperback]

Richard Burkhardt (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 11, 1995 | ISBN-10: 067483318X | ISBN-13: 978-0674833180

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.

Editorial Reviews

Review

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. (A. J. Cain Nature )

About the Author

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

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Harvard University Press (August 11, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 067483318X
• ISBN-13: 978-0674833180
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,735,173 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An important book for anyone who wants to understand modern biology, July 23, 2009

By 

A. Ciapata - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Spirit of System: Lamarck and Evolutionary Biology (Paperback)

This book should be read by anyone interested in life sciences. It outlines major styles of modern biological thinking about evolution. It makes a convincing case of an extraordinary influence of Lamarck writings on our today's understanding of evolution. The book is strictly scholarly. It does not follow emotional and political battles of the time. It stands neither for Lamarck nor against his work. It just gives a competent account of historical facts along with detailed interpretation suitable for understanding modern biology. Of course the facts described in this book were well known to evolutionary scholars but were not accessible to general readers. Evolutionary theorists have long determined that all major variants of Darvin's evolutionary theory were in fact influenced by and compatible with Lamarck's work. Reportedly Darwin himself has been a devoted Lamarkian (for more details see for instance Gould's The Structure of Evolutionary Theory.) Yet the popular opinion supports an idea that work of Darwinian evolutionists is in a profound disagreement with the ideas advocated and sometimes invented by Lamarck.
The author, Richard Burkhardt, masterfully navigates between gossips, reliable historical facts, and meritorious biological data. One outcome is a powerful and convincing outline of a modern understanding of evolution of biological systems. The other outcome is a convincing demonstration of survival of Lamarck's views of evolution in today's biology.
Again, if you wish to understand biology, you should read this book.

5.0 out of 5 stars Valuable insight into the development of evolutionary theory, December 26, 2011

By 

R. Sinclair - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Spirit of System: Lamarck and Evolutionary Biology (Paperback)

Lamarck tends to be painted as "the one who got it all wrong". This book is extremely useful in presenting not only his theory but also its context, social and historical. The text is detailed without becoming boring. No attempt is made to glorify Lamarck. Instead, the focus is firmly on giving the reader an accurate picture of how Lamarck's theoretical views on evolution came to be, and how they should be understood in relation to other views current at the time. I found the book a very refreshing read.