The Structure of Evolutionary Theory

This article is about the book. For an introduction to evolutionary theory, see Outline of evolution.
The Structure of Evolutionary Theory
Cover of the first edition
AuthorStephen Jay Gould
LanguageEnglish
SubjectMacroevolutionary theory
PublisherBelknap Press
Publication date
March 21, 2002
Publication placeUnited States
Media typePrint (Hardcover)
Pages1,433
ISBN0-674-00613-5
OCLC47869352
576.8 21
LC ClassQH366.2 .G663 2002
Preceded byThe Lying Stones of Marrakech 
Followed byI Have Landed 

The Structure of Evolutionary Theory (2002) is Harvard paleontologist Stephen Jay Gould's technical book on macroevolution and the historical development of evolutionary theory.[1] The book was twenty years in the making,[2] published just two months before Gould's death.[3] Aimed primarily at professionals,[4] the volume is divided into two parts. The first is a historical study of classical evolutionary thought, drawing extensively upon primary documents; the second is a constructive critique of the modern synthesis, and presents a case for an interpretation of biological evolution based largely on hierarchical selection, and the theory of punctuated equilibrium (developed by Niles Eldredge and Gould in 1972).[5]

  1. ^ Brown, Andrew (2002) Adventures in evolution The Guardian, Saturday May 25, 2002
  2. ^ Orr, H. Allen (2002) The descent of Gould The New Yorker, September 30, p. 132.
  3. ^ Barash, David (2002) Grappling with the ghost of Gould Human Nature Review 2 (July 9): 283-292.
  4. ^ Jablonski, David (2002) A more modern synthesis American Scientist 90 (July–August): 368-371
  5. ^ Doughty, Howard (2005) Review The College Quarterly 8 (1).