Evolution and Social Life

This book examines how evolution has been handled in anthropology from the mid-nineteenth century onwards. Almost thirty years after first publication, Ingold revisits the work and provides a substantial new preface that discusses the book's history and more recent developments in the field. Unique in its scope and the breadth of its theoretical vision, Evolution and Social Life cuts across the boundaries of natural science and the humanities to provide a major contribution both to the history of anthropological and social thought, and to contemporary debate on the relationship between human nature, culture, and social life.

Preface to the 2016 edition
Preface to the 1986 edition
1 The progress of evolution
2 Mankind ascending
3 The substance of history
4 Times of life
5 Chance, necessity and creativity
6 What is a social relationship?
7 Culture and consciousness