The History of Creation, Vol. 1 (of 2)
by Ernst Haeckel (1834–1919)
- Free to read
- 7 hours to read
- 29 chapters
- Reading level: College-level
"The History of Creation, Vol. 1 (of 2)" by Ernst Haeckel is a scientific publication written in the late 19th century. The work serves as a popular exposition of evolution, detailing the development of Earth and its inhabitants through natural causes, while particularly expounding upon the theories of Darwin, Goethe, and Lamarck. Haeckel aims to make the complex theories surrounding biological evolution accessible to a broader audience. The opening of this volume presents Haeckel's views on the significance of Darwin's theories of descent and natural selection in modern biology. He emphasizes that the Theory of Descent fundamentally alters our understanding of life and its origins, positing that all organisms share common ancestry and have evolved through gradual changes rather than miraculous creation. The author seeks to clarify misconceptions surrounding Darwinism and underscores the importance of understanding organic forms as products of mechanical processes influenced by environmental factors, rather than divine design, setting the stage for a comprehensive exploration of evolutionary biology.
- Evolution
- Human beings · Origin
- Heredity
Read the opening
Chapter I
NATURE AND IMPORTANCE OF THE DOCTRINE OF FILIATION,
OR DESCENT-THEORY.
PAGE
General Importance and Essential Nature of the Theory of
Descent as reformed by Darwin.—Its Special Importance to
Biology (Zoology and Botany).—Its Special Importance to
the History of the Natural Development of the Human
Race.—The Theory of Descent as the Non-Miraculous History
of Creation.—Idea of Creation.—Knowledge and
Belief.—History of Creation and History of
Development.—The Connection between the History of
Individual and Palæontological Development.—The Theory of
Purposelessness, or the Science of Rudimentary
Organs.—Useless and Superfluous Arrangements in
Organisms.—Contrast between the two entirely Opposed
Views of Nature: the Monistic (mechanical, causal) and the
Dualistic (teleological, vital).—Proof of the former by
the Theory of Descent.—Unity of Organic and Inorganic
Nature, and the Identity of the Active Causes in
both.—The Importance of the Theory of Descent to the
Monistic Conception of all Nature 1
Keep reading The History of Creation, Vol. 1 (of 2) →
Download for your e-reader
Files are provided by Project Gutenberg. On a Kindle, the simplest route is to send the EPUB with Amazon’s Send to Kindle. Downloaded copies don’t sync with your place on Classic Book Reader.
About this edition
This free edition of The History of Creation, Vol. 1 (of 2) by Ernst Haeckel comes from Project Gutenberg eBook #40472, released 2012-08-14. It is in the public domain in the United States, so you can read it here in full at no cost, on any phone, tablet or computer. Genre: History - Modern (1750+), Science - Biology, Science - Earth/Agricultural/Farming, Philosophy & Ethics.
Summary provided by Project Gutenberg (automatically generated).
