Date: Friday, September 27, 2013
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: Kansas City Public Library/Plaza Branch
Address: 4801 Main Street, Kansas City, MO
Saturday, August 31, 2013
September 27, 2013 -- On the Origin of Species by Charles Darwin
Our Next Meeting
Our group will discuss the book, On the Origin of Species by Charles Darwin. This book published in November 24, 1859 is both an example of classic literature and an important contributor to the advancement of science. The book was written for non-specialist readers and today's readers will find it very accessible.
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2 comments:
It could be argued that the 1859 edition is the second best version of this book with the 1860 British edition being slightly better in that it contains some insignificant, but non-substantive, corrections.
The editions of 1861, 1866, 1869, and 1872 are all inferior. In them Darwin made changes and expansions in an effort to meet the objections that arose during those times. The modifications expanded the book and clouded the argument. Since most of the objections that were raised would be regarded as silly today, Darwin's arguments against them are of interest for social history, but not for Darwin's theory.
I think that most published copies today are based on the 1872 edition. If you have an earlier edition you will find that it is shorter and, as indicated above, is probably better.
Nine people showed up for our meeting on September 27. Some were surprised so many literature geeks could tolerate such a heavy dose of science as is found in "Origin of Species." Those in attendance included Tim Thurman, Jack Granath, SAM (aka Sybil), Liz and Saul Epstein, Bernie (aka bdNM), Tim Lavin, Brian Pauls, and Clif Hostetler.
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