Charles Darwin, the Copley Medal, and the Rise of Naturalism, 1862-1864, Second Edition

The 1859 publication of Charles Darwins On the Origin of Species evoked a spectrum of responses, from fervent endorsement to vehement opposition, because of the theory of natural selections implications for Western theological and cultural orthodoxy. During the 1860 Oxford gathering of the British Association for the Advancement of Science, Thomas Huxley and Samuel Wilberforce engaged in a riveting and widely publicized debate, dissecting the merits and drawbacks of Darwins theory. Their clash ignited a multifaceted discourse that reverberated through the intellectual circles of Victorian Britain, culminating in the Royal Societys deliberations over whether to bestow upon Darwin the esteemed Copley Medal, its highest honor.In this second edition of Charles Darwin, the Copley Medal, and the Rise of Naturalism, 18611864, students engage in debates within the Royal Society that navigate the tension between natural and teleological views. The student roles delve into topics like inductive reasoning, science in industrial society, social reform, and womens rights, all centered around the Copley deliberations and the societal impact of Darwins evolutionary theory.