One of the more substantial challenges facing natural selection as a comprehensive explanatory model in biology is in understanding the mechanism behind the model. Daniel Dennett attempts to do just that in Darwin’s Dangerous Idea. Providing a comprehensive philosophical foundation for the mechanics of natural selection, Dennett’s book is both an apologetic and a polemic against competing alternatives.

This series will consist of a set of précis of each chapter of the book. I will not critically analyze each chapter but provide a thorough summary with the goal of helping the reader better understand Dennett’s core arguments.

Chapter Summaries:

• Chapter One
• Chapter Two
• Chapter Three
• Chapter Four
• Chapter Five