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Luck, or Cunning, as the Main Means of Organic Modification cover

Luck, or Cunning, as the Main Means of Organic Modification

By Samuel Butler
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Philosophy & EthicsScience - Biology

About This Book

The author argues that heredity functions like a form of unconscious memory and that purposive, mindful processes significantly shape organic change, challenging the view that natural selection alone accounts for evolution. Through critical readings of contemporary thinkers and examinations of plant and animal behavior, he critiques Darwin, Spencer, and others, disputes the purely accidental origin of variations, and presses for the reintroduction of design or agency into developmental explanations. The book mixes polemic, philosophical analysis, and empirical observation to reconsider heredity, adaptation, and the explanatory limits of selection.

About the Author

Butler, Samuel portrait

Samuel Butler

Samuel Butler was an English novelist, essayist, and social critic, known for his satirical and thought-provoking works. His most famous novel, "Erewhon," published in 1872, presents a unique utopian society that challenges contemporary Victorian values and explores themes of evolution and morality. Butler's writings often reflect his interest in science and philosophy, as seen in his essays and critiques of Darwinism in "Evolution, Old & New." He also authored travel narratives, such as "Alps and Sanctuaries of Piedmont and the Canton Ticino," showcasing his keen observations of culture and landscape. Butler's literary contributions continue to resonate, marking him as a significant figure in 19th-century literature.

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