Book Review –
Darwin’s Bluff: The Mystery of the Book Darwin Never Finished
Reviewed by Margaret Helder
A project which has produced a delightful read on Darwin’s life, views and impact, began many years ago when an undergraduate student, out of curiosity, dipped into a new volume in his university library. This volume was the first in a lengthy series from Cambridge University Press. These volumes contained the correspondence, both to and from, of Charles Darwin. Thus hooked on these communications, Robert Shedinger, who was majoring in a general arts degree, began a 40 years long research project on Charles Darwin’s thoughts and actions. Astonished by what he found, Robert Shedinger now shares the results of his research. His book, Darwin’s Bluff, can’t fail to interest everyone.
The author had no preconceived scientific notions about Darwin. Thus, unfamiliar with the highly flattering descriptions about Darwin that we typically encounter, the author discovered a man who did not deliver the foundation to biology which is so often claimed for him. Thus Dr. Shedinger begins his biography with the words: “Few figures in the history of science lie more hidden behind a veil of mythology than Charles Darwin.” (p. 21) The book’s title centres on the occasion of Darwin’s publishing The Origin of Species in 1859. And the book’s cover illustration applies to the same event. The illustration depicts a finch (perhaps from the Galapagos Islands) contemplating a small piece of twine which supposedly holds two large pieces of chain together. Is Darwin’s work the weak link in biological explanations? This book provides dramatic answers.
Apparently when Darwin published his famous book in 1859, he warned everyone that his work was a mere abstract or outline of his argument. It lacked specific examples and documentation. All these important features of a major theoretical statement would follow in his expanded publication on the topic. Darwin’s objective in cautioning his readers about this new publication was to encourage his readers to lower their expectations for the present work. The readers would be less critical of his position, he hoped, if they thought most of the discussion was yet to come.
Dr. Shedinger declares that Darwin was a master at manipulating his reading audience in advance of any published work. Thus, Darwin typically assumed exaggerated humility in an attempt to persuade people to give him the benefit of the doubt. For example, in 1881, on another issue, Darwin wrote concerning one of his pet views in geology: “If I am wrong, the sooner I am knocked on the head and annihilated so much the better.” (58) The desired response, so Darwin hoped, was that his views couldn’t be that bad! Thus, also for the Origin of Species, Darwin sought to run himself down, so that readers would instead be encouraged to say nice things about his book. (p. 100)
The main rhetorical device Darwin used to short circuit criticism of Origin of Species was to insist that the book was only an abstract. Thus “[W]ith one exception, Darwin alerts every correspondent that his work is as yet only an abstract, and therefore should not be evaluated as a complete and thorough treatment of the subject.” (p. 118) “Darwin further warns his readers that they will vehemently disagree with him. This is a brilliant rhetorical move. Who would harshly criticize someone who has gone to such lengths to humbly anticipate your negative reaction?” (p. 118)
The criticism that Darwin anticipated, and which indeed did come, was that the effects of natural selection could not reasonably be compared to artificial selection by breeders. Natural selection, working in nature, indeed results in the survival of some offspring but not of others. But nature never promotes the survival of individuals which possess a feature which might be useful 10 or 20 generations into the future. However people who breed animals or plants rather select for individuals to cross which possess a trait which the breeders want to develop in the future The problem was that Darwin thought natural selection worked much like artificial selection (breeding). But natural selection lacks agency, purpose and planning, so it cannot achieve what breeding programs manage to obtain.
In short, Darwin’s argument was not convincing. “Darwin needed hard evidence – evidence that he had already led many to believe would make its debut in his big book on natural selection, the magnum opus [big work] for which the Origin was merely an abstract.” (p. 146) “The natural selection/artificial selection analogy was so foundational to Darwin’s thinking –and so clearly problematic – that it threatened to unravel his entire theory.” (p. 148) For example, “We think it difficult to find a theory fuller of assumptions; and assumptions not grounded upon alleged facts in nature, but which are absolutely opposed to all the facts we have been able to observe.” [ p. 153 quote from Samuel Wilberforce]
For a couple of years, Darwin kept promising that his major work would soon follow and it would establish all his arguments. But he never did get around to publishing this major work. Instead, he turned his attention to orchids. He hoped to use the information on orchids as a subtle argument to support his statements about the efficacy of natural selection to produce new body plans. There was just one problem with Darwin’s hopes concerning the orchid book. Many people instead saw the examples described as coming from the work of the Creator or Intelligent Designer rather than from natural selection. [p. 192] For example, an anonymous review in the Literary Churchman declared: “We thank Mr. Darwin for putting before us so clearly these wonderful details of the workings of Nature, and so helping us to admire God in His works.” (p. 192)
After 1862 and the orchid publication, Darwin turned his attention to other peripheral issues of biological interest. He never went back to his big book on The Origin of Species. The big book had already been largely drafted by 1859. However posthumous review of the manuscript established that it added little to the ‘abstract,’ already published. It turned out that the speculations and assumptions in The Origin of Species were all that Darwin had to offer. Later generations of scientists however, not as critical as Darwin’s contemporaries, were happy to agree with the arguments in the 1859 document.
What this biography achieves, besides a fascinating account of Darwin’s life and work, is to demonstrate that his most famous book does not provide a true picture of origins. The 1859 book is full of wishful thinking and confident assertions. This is not good enough to provide a foundation for interpretations in biology. Darwin’s bluff was that he said he would demonstrate how natural selection leads to new animal forms. But he never did demonstrate any such thing. In agreeing with his arguments, the modern world has allowed Darwin to fool them.
Available from Amazon. Perfect for anyone who likes history and/or biography and/or a good read with some interesting implications for understanding of nature today. Robert Shedinger. 2024. Darwin’s Bluff: The Mystery of the Book Darwin Never Finished. Discovery Institute Press. pp. 283.
Margaret Helder
August 2024
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Book Review –
Darwin’s Bluff: The Mystery of the Book Darwin Never Finished
Reviewed by Margaret Helder
A project which has produced a delightful read on Darwin’s life, views and impact, began many years ago when an undergraduate student, out of curiosity, dipped into a new volume in his university library. This volume was the first in a lengthy series from Cambridge University Press. These volumes contained the correspondence, both to and from, of Charles Darwin. Thus hooked on these communications, Robert Shedinger, who was majoring in a general arts degree, began a 40 years long research project on Charles Darwin’s thoughts and actions. Astonished by what he found, Robert Shedinger now shares the results of his research. His book, Darwin’s Bluff, can’t fail to interest everyone.
The author had no preconceived scientific notions about Darwin. Thus, unfamiliar with the highly flattering descriptions about Darwin that we typically encounter, the author discovered a man who did not deliver the foundation to biology which is so often claimed for him. Thus Dr. Shedinger begins his biography with the words: “Few figures in the history of science lie more hidden behind a veil of mythology than Charles Darwin.” (p. 21) The book’s title centres on the occasion of Darwin’s publishing The Origin of Species in 1859. And the book’s cover illustration applies to the same event. The illustration depicts a finch (perhaps from the Galapagos Islands) contemplating a small piece of twine which supposedly holds two large pieces of chain together. Is Darwin’s work the weak link in biological explanations? This book provides dramatic answers.
Apparently when Darwin published his famous book in 1859, he warned everyone that his work was a mere abstract or outline of his argument. It lacked specific examples and documentation. All these important features of a major theoretical statement would follow in his expanded publication on the topic. Darwin’s objective in cautioning his readers about this new publication was to encourage his readers to lower their expectations for the present work. The readers would be less critical of his position, he hoped, if they thought most of the discussion was yet to come.
Dr. Shedinger declares that Darwin was a master at manipulating his reading audience in advance of any published work. Thus, Darwin typically assumed exaggerated humility in an attempt to persuade people to give him the benefit of the doubt. For example, in 1881, on another issue, Darwin wrote concerning one of his pet views in geology: “If I am wrong, the sooner I am knocked on the head and annihilated so much the better.” (58) The desired response, so Darwin hoped, was that his views couldn’t be that bad! Thus, also for the Origin of Species, Darwin sought to run himself down, so that readers would instead be encouraged to say nice things about his book. (p. 100)
The main rhetorical device Darwin used to short circuit criticism of Origin of Species was to insist that the book was only an abstract. Thus “[W]ith one exception, Darwin alerts every correspondent that his work is as yet only an abstract, and therefore should not be evaluated as a complete and thorough treatment of the subject.” (p. 118) “Darwin further warns his readers that they will vehemently disagree with him. This is a brilliant rhetorical move. Who would harshly criticize someone who has gone to such lengths to humbly anticipate your negative reaction?” (p. 118)
The criticism that Darwin anticipated, and which indeed did come, was that the effects of natural selection could not reasonably be compared to artificial selection by breeders. Natural selection, working in nature, indeed results in the survival of some offspring but not of others. But nature never promotes the survival of individuals which possess a feature which might be useful 10 or 20 generations into the future. However people who breed animals or plants rather select for individuals to cross which possess a trait which the breeders want to develop in the future The problem was that Darwin thought natural selection worked much like artificial selection (breeding). But natural selection lacks agency, purpose and planning, so it cannot achieve what breeding programs manage to obtain.
In short, Darwin’s argument was not convincing. “Darwin needed hard evidence – evidence that he had already led many to believe would make its debut in his big book on natural selection, the magnum opus [big work] for which the Origin was merely an abstract.” (p. 146) “The natural selection/artificial selection analogy was so foundational to Darwin’s thinking –and so clearly problematic – that it threatened to unravel his entire theory.” (p. 148) For example, “We think it difficult to find a theory fuller of assumptions; and assumptions not grounded upon alleged facts in nature, but which are absolutely opposed to all the facts we have been able to observe.” [ p. 153 quote from Samuel Wilberforce]
For a couple of years, Darwin kept promising that his major work would soon follow and it would establish all his arguments. But he never did get around to publishing this major work. Instead, he turned his attention to orchids. He hoped to use the information on orchids as a subtle argument to support his statements about the efficacy of natural selection to produce new body plans. There was just one problem with Darwin’s hopes concerning the orchid book. Many people instead saw the examples described as coming from the work of the Creator or Intelligent Designer rather than from natural selection. [p. 192] For example, an anonymous review in the Literary Churchman declared: “We thank Mr. Darwin for putting before us so clearly these wonderful details of the workings of Nature, and so helping us to admire God in His works.” (p. 192)
After 1862 and the orchid publication, Darwin turned his attention to other peripheral issues of biological interest. He never went back to his big book on The Origin of Species. The big book had already been largely drafted by 1859. However posthumous review of the manuscript established that it added little to the ‘abstract,’ already published. It turned out that the speculations and assumptions in The Origin of Species were all that Darwin had to offer. Later generations of scientists however, not as critical as Darwin’s contemporaries, were happy to agree with the arguments in the 1859 document.
What this biography achieves, besides a fascinating account of Darwin’s life and work, is to demonstrate that his most famous book does not provide a true picture of origins. The 1859 book is full of wishful thinking and confident assertions. This is not good enough to provide a foundation for interpretations in biology. Darwin’s bluff was that he said he would demonstrate how natural selection leads to new animal forms. But he never did demonstrate any such thing. In agreeing with his arguments, the modern world has allowed Darwin to fool them.
Available from Amazon. Perfect for anyone who likes history and/or biography and/or a good read with some interesting implications for understanding of nature today. Robert Shedinger. 2024. Darwin’s Bluff: The Mystery of the Book Darwin Never Finished. Discovery Institute Press. pp. 283.
Order Online
Paperback / $6.00 / 55 Pages
Book Review –
Darwin’s Bluff: The Mystery of the Book Darwin Never Finished
Reviewed by Margaret Helder
A project which has produced a delightful read on Darwin’s life, views and impact, began many years ago when an undergraduate student, out of curiosity, dipped into a new volume in his university library. This volume was the first in a lengthy series from Cambridge University Press. These volumes contained the correspondence, both to and from, of Charles Darwin. Thus hooked on these communications, Robert Shedinger, who was majoring in a general arts degree, began a 40 years long research project on Charles Darwin’s thoughts and actions. Astonished by what he found, Robert Shedinger now shares the results of his research. His book, Darwin’s Bluff, can’t fail to interest everyone.
The author had no preconceived scientific notions about Darwin. Thus, unfamiliar with the highly flattering descriptions about Darwin that we typically encounter, the author discovered a man who did not deliver the foundation to biology which is so often claimed for him. Thus Dr. Shedinger begins his biography with the words: “Few figures in the history of science lie more hidden behind a veil of mythology than Charles Darwin.” (p. 21) The book’s title centres on the occasion of Darwin’s publishing The Origin of Species in 1859. And the book’s cover illustration applies to the same event. The illustration depicts a finch (perhaps from the Galapagos Islands) contemplating a small piece of twine which supposedly holds two large pieces of chain together. Is Darwin’s work the weak link in biological explanations? This book provides dramatic answers.
Apparently when Darwin published his famous book in 1859, he warned everyone that his work was a mere abstract or outline of his argument. It lacked specific examples and documentation. All these important features of a major theoretical statement would follow in his expanded publication on the topic. Darwin’s objective in cautioning his readers about this new publication was to encourage his readers to lower their expectations for the present work. The readers would be less critical of his position, he hoped, if they thought most of the discussion was yet to come.
Dr. Shedinger declares that Darwin was a master at manipulating his reading audience in advance of any published work. Thus, Darwin typically assumed exaggerated humility in an attempt to persuade people to give him the benefit of the doubt. For example, in 1881, on another issue, Darwin wrote concerning one of his pet views in geology: “If I am wrong, the sooner I am knocked on the head and annihilated so much the better.” (58) The desired response, so Darwin hoped, was that his views couldn’t be that bad! Thus, also for the Origin of Species, Darwin sought to run himself down, so that readers would instead be encouraged to say nice things about his book. (p. 100)
The main rhetorical device Darwin used to short circuit criticism of Origin of Species was to insist that the book was only an abstract. Thus “[W]ith one exception, Darwin alerts every correspondent that his work is as yet only an abstract, and therefore should not be evaluated as a complete and thorough treatment of the subject.” (p. 118) “Darwin further warns his readers that they will vehemently disagree with him. This is a brilliant rhetorical move. Who would harshly criticize someone who has gone to such lengths to humbly anticipate your negative reaction?” (p. 118)
The criticism that Darwin anticipated, and which indeed did come, was that the effects of natural selection could not reasonably be compared to artificial selection by breeders. Natural selection, working in nature, indeed results in the survival of some offspring but not of others. But nature never promotes the survival of individuals which possess a feature which might be useful 10 or 20 generations into the future. However people who breed animals or plants rather select for individuals to cross which possess a trait which the breeders want to develop in the future The problem was that Darwin thought natural selection worked much like artificial selection (breeding). But natural selection lacks agency, purpose and planning, so it cannot achieve what breeding programs manage to obtain.
In short, Darwin’s argument was not convincing. “Darwin needed hard evidence – evidence that he had already led many to believe would make its debut in his big book on natural selection, the magnum opus [big work] for which the Origin was merely an abstract.” (p. 146) “The natural selection/artificial selection analogy was so foundational to Darwin’s thinking –and so clearly problematic – that it threatened to unravel his entire theory.” (p. 148) For example, “We think it difficult to find a theory fuller of assumptions; and assumptions not grounded upon alleged facts in nature, but which are absolutely opposed to all the facts we have been able to observe.” [ p. 153 quote from Samuel Wilberforce]
For a couple of years, Darwin kept promising that his major work would soon follow and it would establish all his arguments. But he never did get around to publishing this major work. Instead, he turned his attention to orchids. He hoped to use the information on orchids as a subtle argument to support his statements about the efficacy of natural selection to produce new body plans. There was just one problem with Darwin’s hopes concerning the orchid book. Many people instead saw the examples described as coming from the work of the Creator or Intelligent Designer rather than from natural selection. [p. 192] For example, an anonymous review in the Literary Churchman declared: “We thank Mr. Darwin for putting before us so clearly these wonderful details of the workings of Nature, and so helping us to admire God in His works.” (p. 192)
After 1862 and the orchid publication, Darwin turned his attention to other peripheral issues of biological interest. He never went back to his big book on The Origin of Species. The big book had already been largely drafted by 1859. However posthumous review of the manuscript established that it added little to the ‘abstract,’ already published. It turned out that the speculations and assumptions in The Origin of Species were all that Darwin had to offer. Later generations of scientists however, not as critical as Darwin’s contemporaries, were happy to agree with the arguments in the 1859 document.
What this biography achieves, besides a fascinating account of Darwin’s life and work, is to demonstrate that his most famous book does not provide a true picture of origins. The 1859 book is full of wishful thinking and confident assertions. This is not good enough to provide a foundation for interpretations in biology. Darwin’s bluff was that he said he would demonstrate how natural selection leads to new animal forms. But he never did demonstrate any such thing. In agreeing with his arguments, the modern world has allowed Darwin to fool them.
Available from Amazon. Perfect for anyone who likes history and/or biography and/or a good read with some interesting implications for understanding of nature today. Robert Shedinger. 2024. Darwin’s Bluff: The Mystery of the Book Darwin Never Finished. Discovery Institute Press. pp. 283.
Order Online
Hardcover / $52.00 / 433 Pages
Book Review –
Darwin’s Bluff: The Mystery of the Book Darwin Never Finished
Reviewed by Margaret Helder
A project which has produced a delightful read on Darwin’s life, views and impact, began many years ago when an undergraduate student, out of curiosity, dipped into a new volume in his university library. This volume was the first in a lengthy series from Cambridge University Press. These volumes contained the correspondence, both to and from, of Charles Darwin. Thus hooked on these communications, Robert Shedinger, who was majoring in a general arts degree, began a 40 years long research project on Charles Darwin’s thoughts and actions. Astonished by what he found, Robert Shedinger now shares the results of his research. His book, Darwin’s Bluff, can’t fail to interest everyone.
The author had no preconceived scientific notions about Darwin. Thus, unfamiliar with the highly flattering descriptions about Darwin that we typically encounter, the author discovered a man who did not deliver the foundation to biology which is so often claimed for him. Thus Dr. Shedinger begins his biography with the words: “Few figures in the history of science lie more hidden behind a veil of mythology than Charles Darwin.” (p. 21) The book’s title centres on the occasion of Darwin’s publishing The Origin of Species in 1859. And the book’s cover illustration applies to the same event. The illustration depicts a finch (perhaps from the Galapagos Islands) contemplating a small piece of twine which supposedly holds two large pieces of chain together. Is Darwin’s work the weak link in biological explanations? This book provides dramatic answers.
Apparently when Darwin published his famous book in 1859, he warned everyone that his work was a mere abstract or outline of his argument. It lacked specific examples and documentation. All these important features of a major theoretical statement would follow in his expanded publication on the topic. Darwin’s objective in cautioning his readers about this new publication was to encourage his readers to lower their expectations for the present work. The readers would be less critical of his position, he hoped, if they thought most of the discussion was yet to come.
Dr. Shedinger declares that Darwin was a master at manipulating his reading audience in advance of any published work. Thus, Darwin typically assumed exaggerated humility in an attempt to persuade people to give him the benefit of the doubt. For example, in 1881, on another issue, Darwin wrote concerning one of his pet views in geology: “If I am wrong, the sooner I am knocked on the head and annihilated so much the better.” (58) The desired response, so Darwin hoped, was that his views couldn’t be that bad! Thus, also for the Origin of Species, Darwin sought to run himself down, so that readers would instead be encouraged to say nice things about his book. (p. 100)
The main rhetorical device Darwin used to short circuit criticism of Origin of Species was to insist that the book was only an abstract. Thus “[W]ith one exception, Darwin alerts every correspondent that his work is as yet only an abstract, and therefore should not be evaluated as a complete and thorough treatment of the subject.” (p. 118) “Darwin further warns his readers that they will vehemently disagree with him. This is a brilliant rhetorical move. Who would harshly criticize someone who has gone to such lengths to humbly anticipate your negative reaction?” (p. 118)
The criticism that Darwin anticipated, and which indeed did come, was that the effects of natural selection could not reasonably be compared to artificial selection by breeders. Natural selection, working in nature, indeed results in the survival of some offspring but not of others. But nature never promotes the survival of individuals which possess a feature which might be useful 10 or 20 generations into the future. However people who breed animals or plants rather select for individuals to cross which possess a trait which the breeders want to develop in the future The problem was that Darwin thought natural selection worked much like artificial selection (breeding). But natural selection lacks agency, purpose and planning, so it cannot achieve what breeding programs manage to obtain.
In short, Darwin’s argument was not convincing. “Darwin needed hard evidence – evidence that he had already led many to believe would make its debut in his big book on natural selection, the magnum opus [big work] for which the Origin was merely an abstract.” (p. 146) “The natural selection/artificial selection analogy was so foundational to Darwin’s thinking –and so clearly problematic – that it threatened to unravel his entire theory.” (p. 148) For example, “We think it difficult to find a theory fuller of assumptions; and assumptions not grounded upon alleged facts in nature, but which are absolutely opposed to all the facts we have been able to observe.” [ p. 153 quote from Samuel Wilberforce]
For a couple of years, Darwin kept promising that his major work would soon follow and it would establish all his arguments. But he never did get around to publishing this major work. Instead, he turned his attention to orchids. He hoped to use the information on orchids as a subtle argument to support his statements about the efficacy of natural selection to produce new body plans. There was just one problem with Darwin’s hopes concerning the orchid book. Many people instead saw the examples described as coming from the work of the Creator or Intelligent Designer rather than from natural selection. [p. 192] For example, an anonymous review in the Literary Churchman declared: “We thank Mr. Darwin for putting before us so clearly these wonderful details of the workings of Nature, and so helping us to admire God in His works.” (p. 192)
After 1862 and the orchid publication, Darwin turned his attention to other peripheral issues of biological interest. He never went back to his big book on The Origin of Species. The big book had already been largely drafted by 1859. However posthumous review of the manuscript established that it added little to the ‘abstract,’ already published. It turned out that the speculations and assumptions in The Origin of Species were all that Darwin had to offer. Later generations of scientists however, not as critical as Darwin’s contemporaries, were happy to agree with the arguments in the 1859 document.
What this biography achieves, besides a fascinating account of Darwin’s life and work, is to demonstrate that his most famous book does not provide a true picture of origins. The 1859 book is full of wishful thinking and confident assertions. This is not good enough to provide a foundation for interpretations in biology. Darwin’s bluff was that he said he would demonstrate how natural selection leads to new animal forms. But he never did demonstrate any such thing. In agreeing with his arguments, the modern world has allowed Darwin to fool them.
Available from Amazon. Perfect for anyone who likes history and/or biography and/or a good read with some interesting implications for understanding of nature today. Robert Shedinger. 2024. Darwin’s Bluff: The Mystery of the Book Darwin Never Finished. Discovery Institute Press. pp. 283.
Order Online
Paperback / $28.00 / 256 Pages
Book Review –
Darwin’s Bluff: The Mystery of the Book Darwin Never Finished
Reviewed by Margaret Helder
A project which has produced a delightful read on Darwin’s life, views and impact, began many years ago when an undergraduate student, out of curiosity, dipped into a new volume in his university library. This volume was the first in a lengthy series from Cambridge University Press. These volumes contained the correspondence, both to and from, of Charles Darwin. Thus hooked on these communications, Robert Shedinger, who was majoring in a general arts degree, began a 40 years long research project on Charles Darwin’s thoughts and actions. Astonished by what he found, Robert Shedinger now shares the results of his research. His book, Darwin’s Bluff, can’t fail to interest everyone.
The author had no preconceived scientific notions about Darwin. Thus, unfamiliar with the highly flattering descriptions about Darwin that we typically encounter, the author discovered a man who did not deliver the foundation to biology which is so often claimed for him. Thus Dr. Shedinger begins his biography with the words: “Few figures in the history of science lie more hidden behind a veil of mythology than Charles Darwin.” (p. 21) The book’s title centres on the occasion of Darwin’s publishing The Origin of Species in 1859. And the book’s cover illustration applies to the same event. The illustration depicts a finch (perhaps from the Galapagos Islands) contemplating a small piece of twine which supposedly holds two large pieces of chain together. Is Darwin’s work the weak link in biological explanations? This book provides dramatic answers.
Apparently when Darwin published his famous book in 1859, he warned everyone that his work was a mere abstract or outline of his argument. It lacked specific examples and documentation. All these important features of a major theoretical statement would follow in his expanded publication on the topic. Darwin’s objective in cautioning his readers about this new publication was to encourage his readers to lower their expectations for the present work. The readers would be less critical of his position, he hoped, if they thought most of the discussion was yet to come.
Dr. Shedinger declares that Darwin was a master at manipulating his reading audience in advance of any published work. Thus, Darwin typically assumed exaggerated humility in an attempt to persuade people to give him the benefit of the doubt. For example, in 1881, on another issue, Darwin wrote concerning one of his pet views in geology: “If I am wrong, the sooner I am knocked on the head and annihilated so much the better.” (58) The desired response, so Darwin hoped, was that his views couldn’t be that bad! Thus, also for the Origin of Species, Darwin sought to run himself down, so that readers would instead be encouraged to say nice things about his book. (p. 100)
The main rhetorical device Darwin used to short circuit criticism of Origin of Species was to insist that the book was only an abstract. Thus “[W]ith one exception, Darwin alerts every correspondent that his work is as yet only an abstract, and therefore should not be evaluated as a complete and thorough treatment of the subject.” (p. 118) “Darwin further warns his readers that they will vehemently disagree with him. This is a brilliant rhetorical move. Who would harshly criticize someone who has gone to such lengths to humbly anticipate your negative reaction?” (p. 118)
The criticism that Darwin anticipated, and which indeed did come, was that the effects of natural selection could not reasonably be compared to artificial selection by breeders. Natural selection, working in nature, indeed results in the survival of some offspring but not of others. But nature never promotes the survival of individuals which possess a feature which might be useful 10 or 20 generations into the future. However people who breed animals or plants rather select for individuals to cross which possess a trait which the breeders want to develop in the future The problem was that Darwin thought natural selection worked much like artificial selection (breeding). But natural selection lacks agency, purpose and planning, so it cannot achieve what breeding programs manage to obtain.
In short, Darwin’s argument was not convincing. “Darwin needed hard evidence – evidence that he had already led many to believe would make its debut in his big book on natural selection, the magnum opus [big work] for which the Origin was merely an abstract.” (p. 146) “The natural selection/artificial selection analogy was so foundational to Darwin’s thinking –and so clearly problematic – that it threatened to unravel his entire theory.” (p. 148) For example, “We think it difficult to find a theory fuller of assumptions; and assumptions not grounded upon alleged facts in nature, but which are absolutely opposed to all the facts we have been able to observe.” [ p. 153 quote from Samuel Wilberforce]
For a couple of years, Darwin kept promising that his major work would soon follow and it would establish all his arguments. But he never did get around to publishing this major work. Instead, he turned his attention to orchids. He hoped to use the information on orchids as a subtle argument to support his statements about the efficacy of natural selection to produce new body plans. There was just one problem with Darwin’s hopes concerning the orchid book. Many people instead saw the examples described as coming from the work of the Creator or Intelligent Designer rather than from natural selection. [p. 192] For example, an anonymous review in the Literary Churchman declared: “We thank Mr. Darwin for putting before us so clearly these wonderful details of the workings of Nature, and so helping us to admire God in His works.” (p. 192)
After 1862 and the orchid publication, Darwin turned his attention to other peripheral issues of biological interest. He never went back to his big book on The Origin of Species. The big book had already been largely drafted by 1859. However posthumous review of the manuscript established that it added little to the ‘abstract,’ already published. It turned out that the speculations and assumptions in The Origin of Species were all that Darwin had to offer. Later generations of scientists however, not as critical as Darwin’s contemporaries, were happy to agree with the arguments in the 1859 document.
What this biography achieves, besides a fascinating account of Darwin’s life and work, is to demonstrate that his most famous book does not provide a true picture of origins. The 1859 book is full of wishful thinking and confident assertions. This is not good enough to provide a foundation for interpretations in biology. Darwin’s bluff was that he said he would demonstrate how natural selection leads to new animal forms. But he never did demonstrate any such thing. In agreeing with his arguments, the modern world has allowed Darwin to fool them.
Available from Amazon. Perfect for anyone who likes history and/or biography and/or a good read with some interesting implications for understanding of nature today. Robert Shedinger. 2024. Darwin’s Bluff: The Mystery of the Book Darwin Never Finished. Discovery Institute Press. pp. 283.
Order Online
Paperback / $16.00 / 189 Pages / line drawings
Book Review –
Darwin’s Bluff: The Mystery of the Book Darwin Never Finished
Reviewed by Margaret Helder
A project which has produced a delightful read on Darwin’s life, views and impact, began many years ago when an undergraduate student, out of curiosity, dipped into a new volume in his university library. This volume was the first in a lengthy series from Cambridge University Press. These volumes contained the correspondence, both to and from, of Charles Darwin. Thus hooked on these communications, Robert Shedinger, who was majoring in a general arts degree, began a 40 years long research project on Charles Darwin’s thoughts and actions. Astonished by what he found, Robert Shedinger now shares the results of his research. His book, Darwin’s Bluff, can’t fail to interest everyone.
The author had no preconceived scientific notions about Darwin. Thus, unfamiliar with the highly flattering descriptions about Darwin that we typically encounter, the author discovered a man who did not deliver the foundation to biology which is so often claimed for him. Thus Dr. Shedinger begins his biography with the words: “Few figures in the history of science lie more hidden behind a veil of mythology than Charles Darwin.” (p. 21) The book’s title centres on the occasion of Darwin’s publishing The Origin of Species in 1859. And the book’s cover illustration applies to the same event. The illustration depicts a finch (perhaps from the Galapagos Islands) contemplating a small piece of twine which supposedly holds two large pieces of chain together. Is Darwin’s work the weak link in biological explanations? This book provides dramatic answers.
Apparently when Darwin published his famous book in 1859, he warned everyone that his work was a mere abstract or outline of his argument. It lacked specific examples and documentation. All these important features of a major theoretical statement would follow in his expanded publication on the topic. Darwin’s objective in cautioning his readers about this new publication was to encourage his readers to lower their expectations for the present work. The readers would be less critical of his position, he hoped, if they thought most of the discussion was yet to come.
Dr. Shedinger declares that Darwin was a master at manipulating his reading audience in advance of any published work. Thus, Darwin typically assumed exaggerated humility in an attempt to persuade people to give him the benefit of the doubt. For example, in 1881, on another issue, Darwin wrote concerning one of his pet views in geology: “If I am wrong, the sooner I am knocked on the head and annihilated so much the better.” (58) The desired response, so Darwin hoped, was that his views couldn’t be that bad! Thus, also for the Origin of Species, Darwin sought to run himself down, so that readers would instead be encouraged to say nice things about his book. (p. 100)
The main rhetorical device Darwin used to short circuit criticism of Origin of Species was to insist that the book was only an abstract. Thus “[W]ith one exception, Darwin alerts every correspondent that his work is as yet only an abstract, and therefore should not be evaluated as a complete and thorough treatment of the subject.” (p. 118) “Darwin further warns his readers that they will vehemently disagree with him. This is a brilliant rhetorical move. Who would harshly criticize someone who has gone to such lengths to humbly anticipate your negative reaction?” (p. 118)
The criticism that Darwin anticipated, and which indeed did come, was that the effects of natural selection could not reasonably be compared to artificial selection by breeders. Natural selection, working in nature, indeed results in the survival of some offspring but not of others. But nature never promotes the survival of individuals which possess a feature which might be useful 10 or 20 generations into the future. However people who breed animals or plants rather select for individuals to cross which possess a trait which the breeders want to develop in the future The problem was that Darwin thought natural selection worked much like artificial selection (breeding). But natural selection lacks agency, purpose and planning, so it cannot achieve what breeding programs manage to obtain.
In short, Darwin’s argument was not convincing. “Darwin needed hard evidence – evidence that he had already led many to believe would make its debut in his big book on natural selection, the magnum opus [big work] for which the Origin was merely an abstract.” (p. 146) “The natural selection/artificial selection analogy was so foundational to Darwin’s thinking –and so clearly problematic – that it threatened to unravel his entire theory.” (p. 148) For example, “We think it difficult to find a theory fuller of assumptions; and assumptions not grounded upon alleged facts in nature, but which are absolutely opposed to all the facts we have been able to observe.” [ p. 153 quote from Samuel Wilberforce]
For a couple of years, Darwin kept promising that his major work would soon follow and it would establish all his arguments. But he never did get around to publishing this major work. Instead, he turned his attention to orchids. He hoped to use the information on orchids as a subtle argument to support his statements about the efficacy of natural selection to produce new body plans. There was just one problem with Darwin’s hopes concerning the orchid book. Many people instead saw the examples described as coming from the work of the Creator or Intelligent Designer rather than from natural selection. [p. 192] For example, an anonymous review in the Literary Churchman declared: “We thank Mr. Darwin for putting before us so clearly these wonderful details of the workings of Nature, and so helping us to admire God in His works.” (p. 192)
After 1862 and the orchid publication, Darwin turned his attention to other peripheral issues of biological interest. He never went back to his big book on The Origin of Species. The big book had already been largely drafted by 1859. However posthumous review of the manuscript established that it added little to the ‘abstract,’ already published. It turned out that the speculations and assumptions in The Origin of Species were all that Darwin had to offer. Later generations of scientists however, not as critical as Darwin’s contemporaries, were happy to agree with the arguments in the 1859 document.
What this biography achieves, besides a fascinating account of Darwin’s life and work, is to demonstrate that his most famous book does not provide a true picture of origins. The 1859 book is full of wishful thinking and confident assertions. This is not good enough to provide a foundation for interpretations in biology. Darwin’s bluff was that he said he would demonstrate how natural selection leads to new animal forms. But he never did demonstrate any such thing. In agreeing with his arguments, the modern world has allowed Darwin to fool them.
Available from Amazon. Perfect for anyone who likes history and/or biography and/or a good read with some interesting implications for understanding of nature today. Robert Shedinger. 2024. Darwin’s Bluff: The Mystery of the Book Darwin Never Finished. Discovery Institute Press. pp. 283.
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