Evolution Society, Science and the Universe

Evolution is a fundamental process that cuts across boundaries of art and science and has beguiled thinkers for ages. This collection of articles about all aspects of evolution is a feast of challenging ideas, drawing together world-renowned thinkers with their own intriguing insights. From the evolution of the developing embryo to the evolution of a developing star, common threads develop into a fascinating story with surprising implications. Line drawings.

Cutting across boundaries of art and science, evolution is a fundamental process that has beguiled thinkers through the ages. This collection draws together world-renowned thinkers and communicators with their own intriguing insights. In these essays they offer a feast of dazzling thoughts and ideas to challenge and enthral the reader. Why and how do civilizations and societies change over time? Why do our cells develop the way they do? Why are some villages still villages while others have grown into vast cities? Can we learn from our evolutionary past to plan a better future for our health and society? Tracing a line from the history of biological evolution, through the evolution of cultures, society, science and the universe, Evolution brings together intriguing parallels from all levels of life. From the evolution of the developing embryo to the evolution of a developing star, common threads develop into a fascinating story.

Introduction Andrew C. Fabian; 1. On transmuting Boyle's law to Darwin's revolution Stephen Jay Gould; 2. The evolution of cellular development Lewis Wolpert; 3. The evolution of guns and germs Jared Diamond; 4. The evolution of London Richard Rogers; 5. The evolution of society Tim Ingold; 6. The evolution of the novel Gillian Beer; 7. The evolution of science Freeman Dyson; 8. The evolution of the universe Martin Rees; Notes on contributors; Acknowledgements; Index.

Stephen Jay Gould and Freeman Dyson are among the world -enowned thinkers who trace the footprints of evolution through art and science in this intriguing collection. From the evolution of society to the evolution of the Universe, this collection of essays will enthral all those excited by questions of why we are here.