Evolution Now

by David Penny

This is a very Popperian approach to evolutionary study. Karl Popper was a philosopher of science, who took science very seriously, and had a profound influence on the chemists and zoologists where I did my undergraduate degree. The book starts from about 1600, when people accepted that life continued to arise -naturally, - and then moves to the pre-evolutionary concept of the fixity of species. Darwin started as a geologist in the Hutton-Lyell tradition and quickly became convinced that current causes were sufficient to explain geology, and he then moved to biology. I gave an account of his theory in some detail. However, there is also an update on what we have learned since Darwin. This is followed by a chapter on human evolution, especially human speech and the Out of Africa theory. This is followed by two chapters on beliefs that maybe incorrect (one of which is the extinction of dinosaurs from the extraterrestrial impact at the K-Pg boundary--maybe incorrect). The other is the direction of change between eukaryotes (which have a true nucleus) and akaryotes (without a true nucleus). The book finishes with a section on what is left for the future. In good Popperian style, there is a lot left for us to discover!

226 pages, Paperback

Published March 14, 2017

Reviews

[Michael Doane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Evolution Now by David Penny is a thoughtful, intellectually rigorous exploration of evolutionary theory that bridges classical ideas with modern scientific updates. Penny’s approach, inspired by Karl Popper’s philosophy of science, emphasizes critical thinking, methodological rigor, and the open-ended nature of inquiry, qualities that make this book appealing to both academics and serious science enthusiasts.

The book excels at contextualizing evolutionary thought historically. Starting from pre-Darwinian ideas of species fixity and moving through Darwin’s geological and biological reasoning, Penny provides readers with a clear narrative of how scientific understanding evolved. He then extends the discussion to contemporary topics in human evolution, speech development, and the Out of Africa theory, highlighting both well-established findings and areas where uncertainty remains. This balance between exposition, critique, and speculation keeps the book intellectually engaging throughout.

What sets Evolution Now apart is its commitment to leaving room for discovery. By interrogating popular assumptions, such as dinosaur extinction mechanisms and cellular evolution, Penny encourages readers to question, explore, and remain curious. It’s a compelling resource for anyone interested in the philosophical and empirical dimensions of evolutionary science.

[Val · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book free from "Good Reads".
Obviously a lot of research & work has gone into this book, but I am afraid I am completely out of my depth with this subject. Sorry.