Summary
Charles Richet's "La Sélection humaine" argues that human evolution is not solely driven by natural selection, but also by artificial, or "human," selection. This concept of human selection involves conscious and unconscious choices made by humans that influence the direction of species development. Richet examines various factors contributing to this human-directed evolution, moving beyond purely biological determinism to incorporate social, psychological, and even self-imposed limitations on reproduction.
The book explores how societal norms, cultural practices, and individual decisions can shape the human population in ways distinct from natural processes. Readers gain insight into a broader understanding of human developmental forces, considering how intentional human actions and societal structures interact with natural evolutionary pressures. This perspective offers a unique lens through which to view the complexities of human biological and social trajectories.
Key concepts
- Human selection — The idea that human choices and societal influences actively direct the course of human evolution, distinct from natural selection.
- Artificial selection (in the context of human evolution) — The application of selection principles to human development, driven by human agency rather than solely environmental pressures.
- Influence of societal norms on reproduction — How cultural practices and accepted standards can impact breeding patterns and population characteristics.
- Psychological factors in evolution — The role of human consciousness and decision-making in shaping evolutionary outcomes.
From the book
For other versions of this work, see Encyclopædia Britannica . ← 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica ( 1911 ) Title page → related portals : Reference Works Shortcut : EB11 or EB1911 Notes on reading the Wikisource edition . A special disclaimer for this project . Collaboration page for contributors . 12543 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica 1911 Table of contents This work is in the public domain in the United States because it was published before January 1, 1931. This work may be in the public domain in countries and areas with longer native copyright terms that apply the rule of the shorter term to foreign works . Public domain Public domain false false← Alabama 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica , Volume 1 "Alabama" Arbitration by Montague Hughes Crackanthorpe Alabama River → See also Alabama Claims on…
He is commonly known as Rab.← Abbadie, Jakob 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica , Volume 1 'Abbahu Abba Mari → See also Abbahu on Wikipedia ; and our 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica disclaimer . 12925 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica , Volume 1 — 'Abbahu ʼABBAHU, the name of a Palestinian ʼamora ( q.v. ) who flourished c . 279–320. ʼAbbahu encouraged the study of Greek by Jews. He was famous as a collector of traditional lore, and is very often cited in the Talmud.
He was author of Quaestiones ( Sheiltoth ), a collection of homilies (at once learned and popular) on Jewish law and ethics. This is recorded to have been the first work written by a Jewish scholar after the completion of the Talmud.← Alphabet 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica , Volume 1 'Al-phasi, Isaac Alphege, Saint → See also Isaac Alfasi on Wikipedia ; and our 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica disclaimer . 1202415 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica , Volume 1 — 'Al-phasi, Isaac ’AL-PHASI, ISAAC (1013–1103), Jewish rabbi and codifier, known as Riph , was born near Fez in 1013 and died at Lucena in 1103. ’Al-Phasi means the “man of Fez” (medieval Jews were often named after their birthplaces). He was forced to leave Fez when an old man of 75, being accused on some unknown political charge. He then…
Popular questions readers ask
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- The text states the "Alabama" Arbitration is a "conspicuous example of the value of arbitration as a means of averting war." Explain, as if to someone unfamiliar with international diplomacy, the underlying reasons *why* arbitration was deemed necessary in this situation and precisely *how* it functioned to prevent further military conflict between the involved parties.
- The British government issued a proclamation of neutrality and recognized the Confederates as belligerents. If you were explaining this to a peer, how would you articulate the complex motivations behind Britain's decision, and what were the immediate and potential long-term consequences of this "neutral" stance for both the Union and the Confederacy?
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