The Descent of Man: and Selection in Relation to Sex

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Applying his controversial theory of evolution to human origins, Charles Darwin's work represents the culmination of his life's research. This Penguin Classics edition features an introduction by James Moore and Adrian Desmond. In The Origin of Species, Darwin avoided discussing human evolution, deeming it too fraught with prejudice. He had been revising his notes since the 1830s but only published The Descent of Man in 1871 with great hesitation. The book controversially placed apes in our family tree and proposed that all races are one family, diversified through 'sexual selection'—a theory suggesting that female choice among males leads to varying racial traits. Sigmund Freud identified it as one of the ten most significant books ever written, and it continues to influence our understanding of what defines humanity. Moore and Desmond advocate for a radical re-evaluation of the book, emphasizing that Darwin's views on race were shaped by his opposition to slavery. This definitive second edition includes suggestions for further reading, a chronology, and biographical sketches of key figures. Darwin (1809-82), a renowned Victorian scientist and naturalist, profoundly challenged contemporary biological and religious beliefs with his groundbreaking ideas. If you appreciated this work, you may also enjoy Darwin's On the Origin of Species, available in Penguin Classics.