In the wake of the 2009 Darwin bicentenary, Samuel Butler (1835-1902) is becoming as well known for his public attack on Darwin's character and the basis of his scientific authority as for his novels Erewhon and The Way of All Flesh. In the first monograph devoted to Butler's ideas for over twenty years, David Gillott offers a much-needed reappraisal of Butler's work and shows how Lamarckian ideas pervaded the whole of Butler's wide-ranging ouevre, and not merely his evolutionary theory. In particular, he argues that Lamarckism was the foundation on which Butler's attempt to undermine professional authority in a variety of disciplines was based. Samuel Butler against the Professionals provides new insight into a fascinating but often misunderstood writer, and on the surprisingly broad application of Lamarckian ideas in the decades following publication of the Origin of Species.
Reproduction of the original: The Samuel Butler Collection by Henry Festing Jones
Reproduction of the original: The Note-Books of Samuel Butler by Samuel Butler
Reproduction of the original.
The Note-Books of Samuel Butler is an intriguing compilation that offers profound insights into Butler's intellectual musings and philosophical reflections on a diverse range of subjects including art, science, and society. The literary style is characterized by Butler'Äôs sharp wit and keen observational prowess, often presented in the form of aphorisms and succinct commentary, which invites readers to engage critically with his thoughts. This collection acts as both an autobiographical window into the mind of a 19th-century Victorian intellectual and a broader commentary on his contemporary society, revealing the tensions between tradition and modernity that permeate his work. Samuel Butler was a polymath: a novelist, essayist, and social critic known for his iconoclastic ideas, especially towards Darwinism and Victorian values. His discontent with societal norms and traditional beliefs, stemming from his own unique experiences'Äîincluding his stay in New Zealand'Äîshaped his unconventional worldview. These influences are palpable in his note-books, as he navigates both personal introspection and societal critique, melding philosophies and experiences into a rich tapestry...