Items related to Life's Grandeur: The Spread of Excellence from...
Synopsis
In his characteristically iconoclastic and original way, Gould argues that progress and increasing complexity are not inevitable features of the evolution of life on Earth. Further, if we wish to see grandeur in life, we must discard our selfish and anthropocentric view of evolution and learn to see it as Darwin did, as the random but unfathomably rich source of 'endless forms most beautiful and wonderful'. LIFE'S GRANDEUR is abundant with the fascinating arcana of palaeontology and biology, the subtleties of mathematical analysis, and the heroic achievements of baseball players and the occasional scientist. But behind it all, as always in Gould's popular writing, is a passionate belief in the completion of an intellectual revolution. Plato believed that abstract ideals are the fundemental reality, while the stones, flora and fauna of the world are merely its flawed and secondary reflection. Such a view may encourage us to see ourselves as closer than a gibbon to the ideal of life, but we flatter ourselves. We can and should appreciate human glory in human spheres. But any rational view of nature tells us that we are a simple branch on an immense bush.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
Product Description
Life's Grandeur: The Spread Of Excellence From Plato To Darwin
About the Author
Stephen Jay Gould is the Alexander Agassiz Professor of Zoology and Porfessor of Geology at Harvard University, and the Curator for Invertebrate Palaeontology in the university's Museum of Comparative Zoology. His books include Ever Since Darwin, The Panda's Thumb, Wonderful Life, Eight Little Piggies and, most recently, Dinosaur in a Haystack.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherJonathan Cape Ltd
- Publication date1996
- ISBN 10 0224041320
- ISBN 13 9780224041324
- BindingPaperback
- Edition number1
- Number of pages272
Buy New
Learn more about this copy
£ 43.16
Shipping:
£ 10
From United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Top Search Results from the AbeBooks Marketplace
Stock Image
Life's Grandeur: The Spread of Excellence from Plato to Darwin
Seller: WorldofBooks, Goring-By-Sea, WS, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardback. Condition: Fine. Seller Inventory # GOR012096705
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
Life's Grandeur : The Spread of Excellence from Plato to Darwin
Seller: Better World Books, Mishawaka, IN, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Very Good. Used book that is in excellent condition. May show signs of wear or have minor defects. Seller Inventory # 19303903-6
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
Life's Grandeur : The Spread of Excellence from Plato to Darwin
Seller: Better World Books, Mishawaka, IN, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Good. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages. Seller Inventory # GRP29631915
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
Life's Grandeur: The Spread of Excellence from Plato to Darwin
Published by
Vintage Publishing, United Kingdom, London, 1996
ISBN 10: 0224041320
ISBN 13: 9780224041324
Used
Paperback
Seller: WorldofBooks, Goring-By-Sea, WS, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Very Good. In his characteristically iconoclastic and original way, Gould argues that progress and increasing complexity are not inevitable features of the evolution of life on Earth. Further, if we wish to see grandeur in life, we must discard our selfish and anthropocentric view of evolution and learn to see it as Darwin did, as the random but unfathomably rich source of 'endless forms most beautiful and wonderful'. LIFE'S GRANDEUR is abundant with the fascinating arcana of palaeontology and biology, the subtleties of mathematical analysis, and the heroic achievements of baseball players and the occasional scientist. But behind it all, as always in Gould's popular writing, is a passionate belief in the completion of an intellectual revolution. Plato believed that abstract ideals are the fundemental reality, while the stones, flora and fauna of the world are merely its flawed and secondary reflection. Such a view may encourage us to see ourselves as closer than a gibbon to the ideal of life, but we flatter ourselves. We can and should appreciate human glory in human spheres. But any rational view of nature tells us that we are a simple branch on an immense bush. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged. Seller Inventory # GOR001899925
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
Life's Grandeur: Spread of Excellence from Plato to Darwin
Seller: Goldstone Books, Llandybie, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: Good. All orders are dispatched within one working day from our UK warehouse. We've been selling books online since 2004! We have over 750,000 books in stock. No quibble refund if not completely satisfied. Seller Inventory # mon0001210733
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
Lifes Grandeur: The Spread of Excellence from Plato to Darwin
Seller: Reuseabook, Gloucester, GLOS, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Used; Good. Dispatched, from the UK, within 48 hours of ordering. This book is in good condition but will show signs of previous ownership. Please expect some creasing to the spine and/or minor damage to the cover. Grubby book may have mild dirt or some staining, mostly on the edges of pages. Seller Inventory # CHL8169219
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
Lifes Grandeur: The Spread of Excellence from Plato to Darwin
Seller: Reuseabook, Gloucester, GLOS, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Used; Good. Dispatched, from the UK, within 48 hours of ordering. This book is in good condition but will show signs of previous ownership. Please expect some creasing to the spine and/or minor damage to the cover. Aged book. Tanned pages and age spots, however, this will not interfere with reading. Seller Inventory # CHL9182828
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
Lifes Grandeur
Seller: GF Books, Inc., Hawthorne, CA, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Good. Book is in Used-Good condition. Pages and cover are clean and intact. Used items may not include supplementary materials such as CDs or access codes. May show signs of minor shelf wear and contain limited notes and highlighting. 1.5. Seller Inventory # 0224041320-2-4
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
Lifes Grandeur
Seller: GF Books, Inc., Hawthorne, CA, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Very Good. Book is in Used-VeryGood condition. Pages and cover are clean and intact. Used items may not include supplementary materials such as CDs or access codes. May show signs of minor shelf wear and contain very limited notes and highlighting. 1.5. Seller Inventory # 0224041320-2-3
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
Life's Grandeur: The Spread of Excellence from Plato to Darwin
Seller: PsychoBabel & Skoob Books, Didcot, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
paperback. Condition: Good. Dust Jacket Condition: No Dust Jacket. Slight shelf wear. Used. Seller Inventory # 060014
Quantity: 1 available