Books on Evolution: Learn Theory, Mechanisms & Evidence for Layman

  • Thread starter Thread starter Hercule Poirot
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Books Evolution
AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on learning about the theory of evolution, covering topics such as micro and macro evolution, punctuated equilibrium, gradualism, game theory, natural selection, and modern synthesis. Participants recommend several accessible books for laypeople, including Richard Dawkins' "River Out of Eden," although some express a preference for "The Selfish Gene" and "The Extended Phenotype" as superior works. Other suggested readings include "The Lucifer Principle" and "Global Brain," though caution is advised regarding unverified theories. A general biology textbook is recommended for foundational knowledge, along with Darwin's "Origin of Species." Participants warn against materials from Christian universities and authors like Galton and Tindle, who are viewed as misusing Darwin's theories for societal purposes.
Hercule Poirot
Messages
31
Reaction score
1
hi guys,

I want to learn about the theory of evolution and its mechanism at the micro and maco levels, punctuated equilibrium, gradualism, game theory, natural selection, modern synthesis, evidence for evolution, open questions about evolution, etc. I would be glad to read your suggestions on books written for the layman regarding all these.

thanks
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Seems the right place for this thread would be in the biology forum, will the admin kindly do that
 
Richard Dawkins - River Out of Eden: A Darwinian View of Life
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0465069908/?tag=pfamazon01-20

Physicist Lawrence M. Krauss stated: I felt [it] was perhaps the most concise and cogent science writing, as well as the clearest discussion of the nature of evolution, I had yet read.


For general evolution reading, I'd also personally recommend (although the theories have not been verified yet, they're just suppositions):
The Lucifer Principle: A Scientific Expedition into the Forces of History
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0871136643/?tag=pfamazon01-20
Global Brain: The Evolution of Mass Mind from the Big Bang to the 21st Century
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0471419192/?tag=pfamazon01-20
 
I would advice against River Out of Eden. It's a poor work particularly compared to Dawkin's two classics The Selfish Gene and The Extended Phenotype, which cover the same ground but does a hell lot better job of it. At least read Selfish Gene, it's one of the best books on science you are ever likely to read.
 
Hehehe... Just don't get a book form a Christian University...

It's filled with all of the God created us x years ago stuff.
 
Honestly, a university level general bio-textbook would likly do you a lot of good. Once you have a firm grasp at that level you'll have a better idea of titles to look for when you go to a science bookstore.

(And you can't go wrong with starting with the intial proposed theory by Darwin in his Origin of Species).

One last side note, avoid anything from Galton or Tindle (Darwin's Bulldog), as they were using Darwin's theory in order to shape England and Western Society.
 
The book is fascinating. If your education includes a typical math degree curriculum, with Lebesgue integration, functional analysis, etc, it teaches QFT with only a passing acquaintance of ordinary QM you would get at HS. However, I would read Lenny Susskind's book on QM first. Purchased a copy straight away, but it will not arrive until the end of December; however, Scribd has a PDF I am now studying. The first part introduces distribution theory (and other related concepts), which...
I've gone through the Standard turbulence textbooks such as Pope's Turbulent Flows and Wilcox' Turbulent modelling for CFD which mostly Covers RANS and the closure models. I want to jump more into DNS but most of the work i've been able to come across is too "practical" and not much explanation of the theory behind it. I wonder if there is a book that takes a theoretical approach to Turbulence starting from the full Navier Stokes Equations and developing from there, instead of jumping from...

Similar threads

Replies
4
Views
2K
Replies
15
Views
2K
Replies
9
Views
5K
Replies
3
Views
2K
Replies
2
Views
3K
Back
Top