Mankind Evolving: The Evolution of the Human Species

by Theodosius Dobzhansky

The Silliman Lectures at Yale University have been responsible for many books which have greatly influenced the progress of scientific work in the twentieth century.  One of the foremost scientists of our time, Theodosius Dobzhansky, recipient of the Elliot and Kimbler prizes, and Da Costa Professor of Zoology at Columbia University, delivered the Silliman Lectures given in honor of the Centennial of Charles Darwin’s On the Origin of Species .  Based upon these lectures, Mr. Dobzhansky’s latest book, Mankind Evolving, now takes its place beside his other great works.   With a profound knowledge of the biological theory of evolution and modern genetics, Mr. Dobzhansky explores the possibilities of understanding mankind as a product of evolution and as an evolving whole.  Human evolution, contends Mr. Dobzhansky, cannot be understood as a purely biological process, nor can it be adequately described as a history of culture; rather, it is the interaction between the two components of evolution—the biological, or organic, and the cultural, or superorganic.  The interdependence of these two components is brought out most clearly if we consider that they both serve the same function—the adaptation to and control of man’s environment.   Drawing upon evidence from human biology, and the study of fossil ancestors of now-living mankind, Mr. Dobzhansky explains how the biological process led to the inception and advancement of culture as an instrument of adaptation.  In producing the genetic basis of culture, biological evolution has transcended it has produced the superorganic.  The superorganic, Mr. Dobzhansky points out, has not annulled the organic; and human welfare, both in individuals and in societies, is predicated upon the health of the genetic endowment of human population.  Man has not only evolved but is evolving, and Mr. Dobzhansky expounds the thesis that the genetic basis of culture should be improved, or at the very least should not be allowed to deteriorate.  Mankind Evolving is of vital importance not only for scientists but for all who are concerned with the health of future generations.    Winner of the Anisfield-Wolf Award and the Pierre Lecomte Du Nuoy Prize. "The most interesting . . . the most judicious scientific treatise that has ever been written on the nature of man . . . displays tremendous erudition over an even broader range of knowledge than is found in its author's previous works. . . . No one who is concerned with his own nature and that of mankind—and this included poets, philosophers, and theologians—can afford to miss this book."—George Gaylord Simpson.

Genres: Science, Evolution, Biology

400 pages, Paperback

First published March 11, 1962

About the author

Theodosius Grygorovych Dobzhansky (Ukrainian: Теодо́сій Григо́рович Добжа́нський; Russian: Феодо́сий Григо́рьевич Добржа́нский) , Ph.D. (University of Leningrad, 1927; B.S., Biology, University of Kiev, 1921), was a prominent geneticist and evolutionary biologist, one of the central figures in modern evolutionary synthesis; his major work concerning the latter is "Genetics and the Origin of Species", published in 1937. He emigrated to the USA in 1927 on a scholarship from the Rockefeller Foundation.

Dobzhansky was the recipient of the National Medal of Science in 1964 and the Franklin Medal in 1973.

Reviews

[Steven Peterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Theodosius Dobzhansky was a major figure in evolutionary theory. Here, he attempts (Page xii): ". . .to explore the possibilitiesd of understanding mankiind as a product of evolution andf as an evolving whole." I purchased this book as I was going to graduate school, to build my understanding of evolutionary theory and to examine the application of Darwinian theory to Homo sapiens.

The book itself addresses a number of issues: the nature of evolutionary theory; nature versus nurture; the heredity of intelligence, health and disease; natural selection; human evolutionary history; evolution and humankind.

For its time, a nice accessible volume to the nonscientist reader.

[David Menčik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well I only read the first two chapters of the book and the last one. From what I read I can conclude that Dobzhansky wrote this book not only for biology professors and students but also for philosophers. I really liked the first chapter "Biology and culture in human evolution" and think it is a must read if you are interested in philosophy of culture.

[Ron Me]

Doubtless this was a good book---in 1962. Now it's pretty hopelessly out of date. He spends considerable time arguing against opinions that no one has anymore. Oh well.