Philosophie zoologique

About “Philosophie zoologique”

Jean Baptiste Lamarck is often known as a pre-Darwinian evolutionist who proposed the idea that organisms can pass on traits acquired during their lifetime to their offspring. However, this view oversimplifies his broader contributions to biology. This edition of Lamarck's "Zoological Philosophy" offers a chance to reevaluate his major work from the 19th century. It also includes his 1800 "Introductory Discourse" and a critical essay by Cuvier, which has shaped misunderstandings about Lamarck's theories. Essays by David L. Hull and Richard W. Burkhardt, Jr., examine Lamarck's ideas within their historical context and explore their impact on the development of evolutionary theory.