Charles Darwin, the Copley Medal, and the Rise of Naturalism, 1862-1864, Second Edition | Marsha Driscoll

140 pp., 8 x 10, 1 halftone, 1 table, appends., notes, bibl

Paperback ISBN: 978-1-4696-8351-5
Published: October 2024

Reacting to the Past

Paperback Available October 2024, but pre-order your copy today!

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The 1859 publication of Charles Darwin's On the Origin of Species evoked a spectrum of responses, from fervent endorsement to vehement opposition, because of the theory of natural selection's implications for Western theological and cultural orthodoxy. During the 1860 Oxford gathering of the British Association for the Advancement of Science, Thomas Huxley and Samuel Wilberforce engaged in a riveting and widely publicized debate, dissecting the merits and drawbacks of Darwin's theory. Their clash ignited a multifaceted discourse that reverberated through the intellectual circles of Victorian Britain, culminating in the Royal Society's deliberations over whether to bestow upon Darwin the esteemed Copley Medal, its highest honor.

In this second edition of Charles Darwin, the Copley Medal, and the Rise of Naturalism, 1861–1864, students engage in debates within the Royal Society that navigate the tension between natural and teleological views. The student roles delve into topics like inductive reasoning, science in industrial society, social reform, and women's rights, all centered around the Copley deliberations and the societal impact of Darwin's evolutionary theory.

About the Authors

Marsha Driscoll is professor emerita of psychology at Bemidji State University.
For more information about Marsha Driscoll, visit the Author Page.

Elizabeth E. Dunn is professor of history and dean of the School of Liberal Arts and Business at SUNY Oneonta.
For more information about Elizabeth E. Dunn, visit the Author Page.

Dann Siems was assistant professor of biology at Bemidji State University.
For more information about Dann Siems, visit the Author Page.

Raymond A. Kimball is CEO of 42 Educational Games Coaching and Design.
For more information about Raymond A. Kimball, visit the Author Page.

Amanda E. Rollinson is a former assistant professor at the US Military Academy.
For more information about Amanda E. Rollinson, visit the Author Page.

B. Kamran Swanson is assistant professor of philosophy at Harold Washington College.
For more information about B. Kamran Swanson, visit the Author Page.

Frederick H. Burkhardt was the founder of the Charles Darwin Correspondence Project.
For more information about Frederick H. Burkhardt, visit the Author Page.

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Natural History

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