Comment on The Origin Of Species
The 'Origins' (along with Newton's 'Principia') is one of great scientific works of all time and is an icon of enlightenment in English culture. It demonstrates essential English qualities: the spirit of enquiry and exploration, self-deprecation, thoughtfulness, it even - on close reading - contains elements of the English sense of fair-play. It is a truely unique (and uniquely English) work.
Comment on The Origin Of Species posted 2006-11-16 by Paul Lewis from Reading, Berkshire
Comment on The Origin Of Species
Richard Dawkins raises an interesting point about the greatness of particular thinkers by asking whether aliens would be interested in their work. Newton and Einstein, yes - they discovered truths that are literally universal, and the aliens must have their own Newton or Einstein. Freud and Marx, no - aliens would take no interest, except for alien anthropologists. And Darwin? Dawkins argues that the core of Darwinism is a universal truth, so the aliens must have their own 'Origin of Species'.
Comment on The Origin Of Species posted 2006-11-02 by Jack Latimer from Brighton
Comment on Origin of Species
What Newton did for the physical sciences Darwin did for the biological. He revolutionised the whole subject by providing the means to explain how animals evolved. This had profound effects on the grip of religion on societies. The Origin also achieved more because the notion of evolution could and was applied to many other fields, especially sociology and economics. Arguably it was the single most influential book ever to be published.
Comment on The Origin Of Species posted 2006-03-09 by Robert Henderson from London
Comment on Origin of Species
Darwin's book lifted the lid on the mystery of how we got here, and gave an alternatve view based on observation and experiment to the superstions held by religious organisations and gave England a lift up the ladder towards secularisation.
Comment on The Origin Of Species posted 2006-02-07 by Darren from Farnborough
Comment on Origin of Species
When we learn that 1 in 2 Americans are said to believe in "Creationism", this book seems more relevant than ever. It's an icon of knowledge, of the intellectual contribution of England, and a beacon against fundamentalism.
Comment on The Origin Of Species posted 2006-01-12 by Anthony George from expat, in Germany
Comment on Origin of Species
It was one of the most important scientific publications of all time.
Comment on The Origin Of Species posted 2006-01-10 by Stuart Forbes from Southampton
Comment on The Origin Of Species
There are very few books which you can say literally changed the world - this is one of them. It changed the way we think about ourselves and where we have come from, turning old theories on their head and redefining a whole scientific landscape in the process. So very important indeed!
Comment on The Origin Of Species posted 2007-03-30 by Daniel Hahn from Icons team, Brighton