Charles Darwin is irrefutably the architect of modern evolutionary biology. Yet Darwin's The Origin of Species is more than just a biological theory. It is a set of principles that portend tremendous philosophical impact beyond the limits of natural science. Darwin's theory begs examination conceptually -to determine how it is structured and how it makes its claims. And because Darwinian assumptions extend to humankind, they must also be thoroughly scrutinized for ethical and epistemological implications.

Michael Ruse, well-known authority on the history and philosophy of Darwinism, offers here the definitive work on the philosophical nature and impact of Darwin's thought. This engaging text is not just a spring board for theoretical debate, but also a treatise that tackles head on many of the controversial anti-Darwin sentiments and suppositions asserted by believers of the Creationist movement.

Using clear, non-technical language, Ruse has much to say about the status of evolutionary thought as a genuine theory, the philosophical implications of Darwinism, and the modern naturalistic explanations of religion.