Summary of Darwin's Dangerous Idea

Darwin's Dangerous Idea is a 1995 book by philosopher Daniel Dennett, exploring the implications of Charles Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection. Dennett argues that Darwin's idea is a "universal acid" that is destructive to many traditional concepts, including the idea of a benevolent God, and that it reframes the questions of life in a way that has far-reaching implications for science, philosophy, morality, and religion. Dennett suggests that the idea of evolution by natural selection has a power and scope far greater than Darwin himself realized, and that its implications are only now being fully understood and explored. He also argues that, while the idea of evolution by natural selection can be seen as a threat to traditional religious beliefs, it has also opened up new possibilities for religious thought and practice.