Brazilian Perspectives in Evolutionary Thought: Historical, Conceptual and Empirical Analyses

This book expands the conventional geographical and cultural boundaries that have traditionally shaped the study of evolutionary theory. While extensive scholarship has been produced on the history and conceptual debates of evolutionary thought, much of this work has predominantly focused on established centers of scientific production, often overlooking contributions from other regions. Seeking a more pluralistic and inclusive understanding, this volume invites readers to explore perspectives developed in Brazil. The book addresses how evolutionary thought in Brazil has been continuously reinterpreted and negotiated through diverse intellectual traditions and socio-cultural contexts. The analyses presented in this volume demonstrate that, rather than conforming to simplistic narratives or rigid classifications such as Darwinism, Lamarckism, or the Modern Synthesis, Brazilian evolutionary thought embodies a dynamic and pluralistic field. In this respect, Brazil serves as a microcosm reflecting the broader complexity of evolutionary biology worldwide, shaped by multiple scientific communities and intellectual lineages that resist easy unification into grand theoretical frameworks. Organised into three analytical domains—historical, conceptual/philosophical and empirical—the volume first highlights the historical contributions of Brazilian thinkers and individuals working in Brazil to the development of evolutionary thought. The second section presents conceptual analyses by Brazilian biologists and philosophers on contemporary developments in evolution. The final section showcases empirical research conducted in Brazil, particularly in evolutionary developmental biology and macroevolution. This illustrates how these studies engage with key ongoing debates in the field. This book will appeal not only to researchers in evolutionary biology but also to historians and philosophers of science interested in the evolving and diversifying nature of evolutionary theory across varied cultural and scientific landscapes.