Description
Book SynopsisIn this provocative work, noted social and economic theorist Graeme D. Snooks exposes fatal flaws in the foundations of the Darwinian theory of evolution, which he deems an artificial algorithm, as well as the neo-Darwinian synthesis adopted by many social scientists. Utilizing the historical method, Snooks develops a remarkable replacement theory of evolution, which he calls the dynamic-strategy theory. While the neo-Darwinian position places too great an emphasis on genetic changegiving rise to untenable but popular concepts such as the selfish geneand fails to explain the fluctuating fortunes of life''s most successful species (mankind), Snooks'' framework starts by systematically observing the broad patterns of life and human society. The resultant realist theory of life posits life as a strategic pursuit (rather than a game of chance) in which organisms adopt dynamic strategies (only one of which is genetic change) to survive and prosper. Organisms'' and species'' progress is a
Trade ReviewThe Collapse of Darwinism is an important, learned, and strikingly original book that not only challenges the foundations of one of the 'big ideas' of the modern world—natural selection—but also offers a fresh and exciting new perspective on the dynamics of life. A product of its author's years of detailed study of dynamic systems in both the natural and human world, Snooks' new realist theory of life stands as an impressive intellectual achievement. Its many powerful insights will be of great interest not only to biologists, but to philosophers, sociologists, and economists as well. -- Gary B. Magee, University of Melbourne
The Collapse of Darwinism offers not only a thorough review and criticism of the concepts of Darwinism, but also a comprehensive framework that is aimed at replacing them. In my opinion the publication of this book is a timely (and long overdue) step in the study of evolution, for it presents a ground-breaking and highly innovative approach. -- Bertrand Roehner, Institute for Theoretical and High Energy Physics, University of Paris
Table of ContentsChapter 1 Prologue: "The grandest pile of ruins I ever saw" Chapter 2 The Rise and Fall of Darwinism Part 3 Darwin's Dissenting Chapel Chapter 4 The Chapel of Evolution: Darwin's Theory of Natural Selection Chapter 5 Flaws in the Foundations: Darwin's Method of Theory-Building and Persuasion Chapter 6 Stress in the Structure: Darwin's Descent of Man Part 7 The Collapsing Cathedral of Darwinism Chapter 8 The Buttress-Builders: Modern Paleontology Chapter 9 The Cathedral-Reconstructionists: Neo-Darwinism Chapter 10 The Image-Makers and Evangelists, part 1: Sociobiology and the Animal World Chapter 11 The Image-Makers and Evangelists, part 2: Sociobiology and Human Society Part 12 Rising from the Ruins Chapter 13 A New Story of Life Chapter 14 The Dynamic-Strategy Theory of Life Chapter 15 The Driving Force Chapter 16 Strategic Selection Chapter 17 Life's Dynamic Mechanisms Chapter 18 The Dynamics of Social Organization Chapter 19 The Laws of Life Chapter 20 The Future of Life on Earth and in the Universe Chapter 21 Epilogue: A Modern Theory for the Modern World
