The Plausibility of Life: Resolving Darwin's Dilemma

Marc Kirschner, John Gerhart

Yale University Press, Jan 1, 2005 - Psychology - 314 pages

In the 150 years since Darwin, the field of evolutionary biology has left a glaring gap in understanding how animals developed their astounding variety and complexity. The standard answer has been that small genetic mutations accumulate over time to produce wondrous innovations such as eyes and wings. Drawing on cutting-edge research across the spectrum of modern biology, Marc Kirschner and John Gerhart demonstrate how this stock answer is woefully inadequate. Rather they offer an original solution to the longstanding puzzle of how small random genetic change can be converted into complex, useful innovations.

In a new theory they call "facilitated variation,” Kirschner and Gerhart elevate the individual organism from a passive target of natural selection to a central player in the 3-billion-year history of evolution. In clear, accessible language, the authors invite every reader to contemplate daring new ideas about evolution. By closing the major gap in Darwin’s theory Kirschner and Gerhart also provide a timely scientific rebuttal to modern critics of evolution who champion "intelligent design.”

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The plausibility of life: resolving Darwin's dilemma

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Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection has itself evolved to encompass various complementary theories in a "grand synthesis" of thought, which remains, however, incomplete. Typically ...

About the author

Marc W. Kirschner is professor and chair, Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School. John C. Gerhart is professor in the Graduate School, University of California, Berkeley.

Bibliographic information

• Title: The Plausibility of Life: Resolving Darwin's Dilemma
• Authors: Marc Kirschner, John Gerhart
• Illustrated by: John Norton
• Edition: unabridged
• Publisher: Yale University Press, 2005
• ISBN: 0300108656, 9780300108651
• Length: 314 pages
• Subjects: Psychology / Reference