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| https://commons.wikimedia.org/ |
This is the first episode of Season 4 where we begin our exploration of Charles Darwin's Descent of Man, and Selection in Relation to Sex which was published in 1871. In this episode we explore how Darwin finally got around to discussing the evolution of humans, a topic he avoided in Origin of Species even though he told Alfred Wallace it was "...the highest & most interesting problem for the naturalist." In creating the book he relied on a wide array of scientists, citizen scientists, and bureaucrats in collecting the wide array of facts he uses to support his claim that humans are just another animal and we have evolved like any other organism.
We discussed what the social, political, and scientific climate was like when Darwin was publishing this book and how it was received by his friends and enemies alike.
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| https://www.darwinproject.ac.uk/henrietta-emma-darwin |
Sarah introduced us to Henrietta Darwin, Charles's daughter who was influential in editing Descent of Man. We discussed the amazing University of Cambridge correspondence project where you can easily search the immense database of correspondences between Charles Darwin and other family members, scientists, friends, his publisher, and others, Follow this link if you wish to explore the site.
Sarah reminded us of the tragic tale of the children who were on the Beagle when young Charles Darwin traveled the world. You can find that story told in detail in our first episode of Season 2 entitled Hot Coffee
The opening and closing theme to Discovering Darwin is "May" by Jared C. Balogh.
Interlude music is "Saulsalita Soul" by Mr. ruiZ
