Includes bibliographical references (p. [339]-357) and index.

Two thousand years of design -- Paley and Kant fight back -- Sowing the seeds of evolution -- A plurality of problems -- Charles Darwin -- A subject too profound -- Darwinian against Darwinian -- The century of evolutionism -- Adaptation in action -- Theory and test -- Formalism redux -- From function to design -- Design as metaphor -- Natural theology evolves -- Turning back the clock.

"Darwin and Design surveys the argument from design from its introduction by the Greeks, through the coming of Darwinism, down to the present day. In clear, non-technical language Michael Ruse, a well-known authority on the history and philosophy of Darwinism, offers a full and fair assessment of the status of the argument from design in light of both the advances of modern evolutionary biology and the thinking of today's philosophers - with special attention given to the supporters and critics of "intelligent design."" "The first comprehensive history and exposition of Western thought about design in the natural world, this important work suggests directions for our thinking as we move into the twenty-first century. A thoroughgoing guide to a perennially controversial issue, the book makes its own substantial contribution to the ongoing debate about the relationship between science and religion, and between evolution and its religious critics."--BOOK JACKET.