Samuel Butler’s ‘Evolution, Old & New’ provides a thought-provoking exploration of the theory of evolution in the late 19th century. Written in a clear and concise style, the book delves into the debates surrounding Darwin’s ideas and offers a critical analysis of the scientific and philosophical implications of evolution. Butler’s work stands out for its unique perspective and intellectual rigor, making it a significant contribution to the field of evolutionary theory during his time. The book is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of ideas and the development of evolutionary thought. Butler’s critical examination of evolution and his innovative insights continue to resonate with scholars and readers today.
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Samuel Butler (1835–1902) was an iconoclastic English author who garnered respect and controversy in equal measure with his diverse body of work. A man of polymathic tendencies, his literary contributions range from satirical novels to essays and philosophical treatises. He is perhaps best remembered for his semi-autobiographical work, ‘The Way of All Flesh’, and the satirical utopian novel, ‘Erewhon’, but his forays into the field of evolutionary theory, particularly with ‘Evolution, Old & New’, also marked a significant intellectual engagement with contemporary scientific discourse. In this book, Butler critically examines the theories of Charles Darwin, proposing instead a version of evolution that emphasized memory and the inheritance of acquired characteristics. His work was provocative, advocating for a holistic understanding of evolution before the rediscovery of Mendelian genetics. Although his ideas in this area were largely dismissed by the scientific community, they contributed to the broader conversation around evolution. Butler’s literary style, characterized by wit, skepticism, and a clear, direct prose, often challenged orthodox sentiments of Victorian society. His intellectual vigor extended even to translations of Homer, where he argued for theories of authorship that were well ahead of their time. Samuel Butler’s oeuvre is characterized by a critical examination of the orthodoxies of his time, marking him as a singular figure in the landscape of English literature and thought.
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