Principia Proposal
Natural World from the Western Perspective
Evolution: What is it? Why is it important?
The concept of Darwinian evolution is the dominant scientific idea that informs and unites our understanding of the myriad aspects of the natural world. It is arguably the most influential idea about the natural world in western history.
The proposed unit is structured around three main themes: the active and contemplative life, how our conception of the natural order informs questions of social justice and ethics and the struggle to interpret scientific knowledge in a particular social context.
Active and Contemplative Life:
Darwin’s development of the theory of Natural Selection is an example of the complimentary roles of the active and contemplative life. His 5 year voyage on the
Beagle as a naturalist is an example of the active part of a scientist’s life. During the subsequent twenty years until the publication of Origin of Species Darwin worked to develop an explanation of what he had experienced during the Voyage of the Beagle.
This work combined the contemplative aspects of the scientific process with additional
(active) experiments and observations.
The active and contemplative motif is also present in the move from the ideas and concepts of evolutionary theory to their application to specific human concerns. The unit uses antibiotic resistant diseases and the biology of race as examples.
Biology and Social Justice
To discuss the implications of evolution the unit focuses on two main examples: antibiotic-resistant TB, and the use and misuse of evolutionary theory in race and gender issues. In addition optional choices on sociobiology, and religion and evolution provide connections to other social justice and ethical issues.
Interpretations
The competing interpretations of what evolution can tell us about race and gender issues is explored historically through a series of essays. This can provide students insight into how the struggle for the correct interpretation of a scientific theory is bound up in social issues. The current biological understanding of race is explored through essays and a video.

Readings:
1. Selections from Chapter 17 from The Voyage of the Beagle , Charles Darwin (~3
pages) Handout from http://www.infidels.org/library/historical/charles_darwin/voyage_of_beagle/Chapt er17.html
2. Selections from Introduction and Chapters 1-4, 6, 15 in Origin of Species , Charles
Darwin (~ 100 pages) Cost: $6.00
3. Essays from Ever Since Darwin , Stephen Jay Gould
Essays 1, 10, 12, 27, 28, 29, 31 (~ 50 pages) Cost $15.00
4. Video: PBS Evolution: Show 4: The Evolutionary Arms Race (~20 min excerpt) http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/evolution/survival/index.html
5. Video: Race: The Power of an Illusion: The Difference Between Us (1 hour) http://www.pbs.org/race/000_General/000_00-Home.htm
Suggested MWF schedule
Day 1: Voyage of Beagle selection , Ever Since Darwin Essay 1, Intro from Origin of
Species
Day 2: Origin of Species 1-4
Day 3: Origin of Species 6, Ever Since Darwin Essays 10, 12
Day 4: Origin of Species 15, Video Evolution: Show 4: The Evolutionary Arms Race
Day 5: Video Race: The Power of an Illusion: TheDifference Between Us (Shown in
class)
Day 6 : Ever Since Darwin Essays 27,28,29,31
Possible further Explorations:
Racism: : Race: The Power of an Illusion: The House We Live In (1 hour) http://www.pbs.org/race/000_General/000_00-Home.htm
Sociobiology: Essays 30, 32, 33 in Ever Since Darwin
Religion and Evolution: : PBS Evolution: Show 7: What about God?
(1 hour) http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/evolution/religion/index.html