On my reading list – and now – on my table. More to follow. Penguin Classics 2009, from the second edition 1890.
Regarding Darwin, interpretation is clearly needed, ability to sort wheat from chaff. For example, he has a lot of racist comments in his work on sexual selection (also recieved, some of it read). One cannot take this on face value, it would resemble taking the old testament on face value in creationism. In Darwin as in other cases the interesting thing is the sense of science beyond the sentiments of the day – that were present there (as in the writings of e g Marx and Freud). This is what challenges the reader, and makes for a captivating story, even today.
