Darwin's Dangerous Idea

Charles Darwins theory of evolution sent shockwaves through the nineteenth century world, but its impact has continued to be potent and widespread in society, religion, politics and science. Andrew Marrs fascinating documentary series tells the story of Darwins amazing legacy Recounting some of the experiences which shaped Darwins thinking during his famous voyage on The Beagle and explaining how the theory broke out from the world of science, Andrew Marr tells of the impact of this revolutionary idea and how it came to challenge so many aspects of society. Natural Selection was an incendiary concept that was equally appropriated and misappropriated; it inspired Nietzsche and Freud, but was used by those justifying slavery and World War I Slaughter; the Nazis used it to validate their Final Solution, but it was a founding idea behind the democratic, anti-racist values of the United Nations; it was the basis of eugenics, but has been used to eliminate a fatal genetic disease. Darwinism is still a pervading influence, fuelling environmentalist concerns, educational debate and predictive DNA dilemmas. As inspiring and disturbing today as it was 150 years ago, this series is proof that Darwins bombshell remains a truly dangerous idea.