{"product_id":"descent-of-man","title":"Descent Of Man","description":"In \u003cem\u003eThe Descent of Man\u003c\/em\u003e Darwin addresses many of the issues raised by his notorious \u003cem\u003eOrigin of Species\u003c\/em\u003e: finding in the traits and instincts of animals the origins of the mental abilities of humans, of language, of our social structures and our moral capacities, he attempts to show that there is no clear dividing line between animals and humans. Most importantly, he accounts for what Victorians called the ‘races’ of mankind by means of what he calls sexual selection. This book presents a full explanation of Darwin’s ideas about sexual selection, including his belief that many important characteristics of human beings and animals have emerged in response to competition for mates. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis was a controversial work. Yet Darwin tried hard to avoid being branded as a radical revolutionary. He is steeped in Victorian sensibilities regarding gender and cultural differences: he sees human civilization as a move from barbarous savagery to modern gentlefolk, and women as more emotional and less intellectual than men, thus providing a biological basis for the social assumptions and prejudices of the day. \u003cem\u003eThe Descent of Man \u003c\/em\u003eplayed a major role in the emergence of social Darwinism.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis complete version of the first edition gives the modern reader an unparalleled opportunity to engage directly with Darwin’s proposals, launched in the midst of continuing controversy over \u003cem\u003eOn the Origin of Species\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eJanet Browne is the author of the prize-winning biography, \u003cem\u003eCharles Darwin: Voyaging\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eCharles Darwin: The Power of Place\u003c\/em\u003e.","brand":"MediaPlace","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57308162490750,"sku":"NW9781840226980","price":6.78,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0817\/1379\/1261\/files\/9781840226980.jpg?v=1778676723","url":"https:\/\/mediaplace.com\/products\/descent-of-man","provider":"MediaPlace","version":"1.0","type":"link"}