Daniel J. Kevles is an American historian of science, focusing on the history of American science and its intricate connections with ethics and society. He is known for his ability to synthesize vast amounts of historical information into readable and coherent narratives. His work delves into themes such as the societal impact of scientific discoveries, environmentalism, and ethical dilemmas in science, including eugenics and scientific integrity. Kevles' writings are recognized for their meticulous scholarship and detailed reporting.
Nominated for an American Book Award in Non-Fiction, this text traces the study and practice of eugenics - the science of improving the human species by exploiting theories of heredity - from its inception in the late 19th century through to the latest developments in genetic engineering.
In these essays, Jonathan Miller, Oliver Sacks and Daniel Kevles show how and why some discoveries and insights in science emerge with great promise, only to be discarded or forgotten, then re-emerge years later as important. Richard Lewontin and Stephen Jay Gould suggest deep and largely unacknowledged distortions in the way scientists and popularizers alike conceive the sturcture of the world and its natural history. Illustrations.