What Lamarck's Giraffe Got Right
Jessica Riskin's book, Power of Life, explores the life and work of Jean-Baptiste Lamarck, the early proponent of evolutionary theory. Riskin reveals that Lamarck's ideas were foundational to modern biology, emerging from a rich environment of science and art. The book highlights Lamarck's radical view that living organisms actively shape their environment, challenging traditional notions of creation.
- ▪Jean-Baptiste Lamarck proposed the first evolutionary theory of life in the early 1800s.
- ▪Jessica Riskin's book discusses how Lamarck's ideas were foundational to modern biology.
- ▪Lamarck believed that living organisms actively create and shape the world around them.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"Article","headline":"What Lamarck’s Giraffe Got Right","description":"What Lamarck’s Giraffe Got Right: Jessica Riskin’s three greatest revelations while writing Power of Life","image":["https://lede-admin.nautil.us/wp-content/uploads/sites/70/2026/05/French_HERO_70730e.png"],"datePublished":"2026-05-14T22:00:00+00:00","dateModified":"2026-05-14T21:09:02+00:00","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Jessica G.…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Nautil.
Discussion
0 commentsMore from Nautil
