The philosophy of human evolution: Contemporary debates in historical context

Abstract

What does human evolutionary theory reveal about the origins of human nature and the constraints it imposes on human cognition, behavior, and society? ‘‘The whole field of human evolution is pregnant with philosophical questions of great interest’’, Michael Ruse concludes in the final passage of The Philosophy of Human Evolution. This engaging and eminently readable romp through the philosophical landscape of human evolution fills a significant niche in the existing literature. There are numerous scientific texts surveying historical and contemporary problems in the field of human evolution, and there are many philosophical texts exploring conceptual and methodological problems in evolutionary theory. Ruse interweaves scientific and philosophical work on human evolution with the latest work in biological theory to produce a unique and timely book, one that addresses a range of important topics that rarely find their way into works of this genre. With a relentless lucidity and charming, folksy familiarity, Ruse guides a general readership through the thicket of historical, scientific, philosophical, social, and religious issues arising out of human evolutionary theory, navigating both well-worn and under-explored philosophical territory alike in eight chapters of seamless, page-turning pros. Ruse makes adept use of quotations from eminent evolutionists wherever the original words have greater resonance than any encapsulated rendering the author could provide. A careful attention to history is perhaps the greatest strength of the book. Ruse’s general rhetorical strategy is highly effective: He introduces contemporary philosophical debates in human evolution by first considering Darwin’s perennially prescient thoughts on the topic at hand, some of which, as the reader comes to see, have been vindicated, some modified, and some rebuked. Equally effective is Ruse’s use of clear, instructive figures illustrating key points in biogeography, comparative anatomy, taxonomy, development, genetics, and