An Elusive Victorian: The Evolution of Alfred Russel WallaceCodiscoverer of the theory of evolution by natural selection, Alfred Russel Wallace should be recognized as one of the titans of Victorian science. Instead he has long been relegated to a secondary place behind Darwin. Worse, many scholars have overlooked or even mocked his significant contributions to other aspects of Victorian culture. With An Elusive Victorian, Martin Fichman provides the first comprehensive analytical study of Wallace's life and controversial intellectual career. Fichman examines not only Wallace's scientific work as an evolutionary theorist and field naturalist but also his philosophical concerns, his involvement with theism, and his commitment to land nationalization and other sociopolitical reforms such as women's rights. As Fichman shows, Wallace worked throughout his life to integrate these humanistic and scientific interests. His goal: the development of an evolutionary cosmology, a unified vision of humanity's place in nature and society that he hoped would ensure the dignity of all individuals. To reveal the many aspects of this compelling figure, Fichman not only reexamines Wallace's published works, but also probes the contents of his lesser known writings, unpublished correspondence, and copious annotations in books from his personal library. Rather than consider Wallace's science as distinct from his sociopolitical commitments, An Elusive Victorian assumes a mutually beneficial relationship between the two, one which shaped Wallace into one of the most memorable characters of his time. Fully situating Wallace's wide-ranging work in its historical and cultural context, Fichman's innovative and insightful account will interest historians of science, religion, and Victorian culture as well as biologists. |
Contents
1 | |
11 | |
CHAPTER 3 Wallaces Evolutionary Philosophy | 66 |
Multiple Directions and Inevitable Tensions | 139 |
The Ethics of Politics and the Politics of Ethics | 211 |
Other editions - View all
An Elusive Victorian: The Evolution of Alfred Russel Wallace Martin Fichman No preview available - 2004 |
Common terms and phrases
Alfred Russel Wallace Amazon American animals argued argument Aru Islands Bates believed biogeography birds Britain British Cambridge career Charles Darwin claims concept controversial conviction critics crucial cultural Darwin debates early economic England essay ethical evidence evolutionary biology evolutionary teleology evolutionary theism evolutionary theory existence fauna forces framework geographical distribution geological George George's History of Biology human evolution Huxley individuals intellectual James Journal land nationalization late Victorian later lectures letter London Lyell major Malay Archipelago Man's Place Marchant mesmerism moral natural history natural selection naturalists nineteenth century orangutan organic origin of species Owen Owenite Peirce phenomena philosophy phrenology physical political professional Psychical Research races reform regarded regions religion religious Review scientists séances sexual selection significant social socialist sociopolitical Spencer spiritualism spiritualist theism theistic thought tion University Press varieties views Wallace asserted Wallace declared Wallace noted Wallace's evolutionary William worldview York
References to this book
The Insect-populated Mind: How Insects Have Influenced the Evolution of ... David Spooner Limited preview - 2005 |