{"product_id":"turning-points-how-critical-events-have-driven-human-evolution-life-and-development-hardcover","title":"Turning Points: How Critical Events Have Driven Human Evolution, Life, and Development - Hardcover","description":"\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cp style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/reportcopyrightinfringement.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eReport copyright infringement\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cp\u003eby \u003cb\u003eKostas Kampourakis\u003c\/b\u003e (Author)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAn accessible introduction to core concepts in evolution for lay readers, which shows that random events have played a critical role in the development of life Critical historical events--or turning points--have shaped evolution and continue to have a decisive effect on individual lives. This theme is explored and explained in this lucid, accessible book for lay readers. The author argues that, although evolution is the result of unpredictable events, these events have profound influences on subsequent developments. Life is thus a continuous interplay between unforeseeable events and their decisive consequences. As one example, the author cites the fusing of two chromosomes, which differentiated the human species from our closest animal relatives about 4 to 5 million years ago. This event was not predictable, but it had a profound effect on the evolution of our species thereafter. By the same token, certain unpredictable circumstances in the past enabled only Homo sapiens to survive to the present day, though we now know that other human-like species also once existed. The author contrasts such scientific concepts grounded in solid evidence with prevalent misconceptions about life: specifically, the religious notion that there is a plan and purpose behind life, the widespread perception that intelligent design governs the workings of nature, the persistent belief in destiny and fate, and the attribution of an overly deterministic role to genes. This excellent introduction for laypersons to core ideas in biology goes a long way toward dispelling such misconceptions and presents current scientific research in clearly understandable, jargon-free terms.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eAuthor Biography\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eKostas Kampourakis\u003c\/b\u003e is the author of \u003ci\u003eMaking Sense of Genes \u003c\/i\u003eand \u003ci\u003eUnderstanding Evolution\u003c\/i\u003e, as well as the editor of \u003ci\u003eThe Philosophy of Biology: A Companion for Educators \u003c\/i\u003eand (with R. L. Numbers) \u003ci\u003eNewton's Apple and Other Myths about Science\u003c\/i\u003e. He is also the editor in chief of the journal \u003ci\u003eScience \u0026amp; Education\u003c\/i\u003e and the book series \u003ci\u003eScience: Philosophy, History and Education\u003c\/i\u003e. Currently, he is a researcher in science education at the University of Geneva, where he teaches courses at the University Teacher Training Institute and the Section of Biology.\u003c\/p\u003e\n            \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of Pages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 366\u003c\/div\u003e\n            \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1.3 x 9.1 x 6.2 IN\u003c\/div\u003e\n            \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIllustrated:\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes\u003c\/div\u003e\n            \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublication Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e February 27, 2018\u003c\/div\u003e\n            ","brand":"BooksCloud","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47667337527517,"sku":"9781633883291","price":30.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0811\/9867\/8237\/files\/4h9Hk4-OpX9781633883291.webp?v=1773921209","url":"https:\/\/handfulofbooks.com\/products\/turning-points-how-critical-events-have-driven-human-evolution-life-and-development-hardcover","provider":"Handful of Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}