The Descent of Man

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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, edited by James Moore and Adrian Desmond, features an introduction that re-evaluates the text's significance. In The Origin of Species, Darwin avoided discussing human evolution, deeming it too fraught with prejudice. After years of reworking his notes, he published The Descent of Man in 1871, which controversially placed apes in our family tree and proposed that all races belong to one family, shaped by 'sexual selection'—his theory that female choice among males leads to diverse racial traits. Sigmund Freud regarded this work as one of the ten most significant books ever written, and it continues to influence our understanding of what makes us human. Moore and Desmond argue that Darwin's ideas on race were driven by his opposition to slavery. This definitive edition includes further reading suggestions, a chronology, and biographical sketches of key figures. Darwin (1809-82), a prominent Victorian scientist, fundamentally challenged existing biological and religious beliefs with his earlier work, On the Origin of Species, published in 1859. If you appreciated this text, you may also enjoy Darwin's On the Origin of Species, available in Penguin Classics.