This book rigorously applies Darwinian principles to the evolution of human society. Geoffrey M. Hodgson and Thorbjørn Knudsen demonstrate how core Darwinian concepts like variation, inheritance, and selection are applicable to diverse social phenomena, including business practices, legal systems, technology, and science itself. They address and critique prominent objections to applying Darwinian thought to social science, positioning Darwinism as a foundational framework for generating new explanatory theories and predictive models. The work aims to equip social scientists with powerful Darwinian conceptual tools for further inquiry.

The book is presented as a significant contribution that rigorously applies Darwinian principles to social science, a feat previously lacking a comprehensive account. It aims to provide social scientists with a powerful conceptual framework for developing new theories and models. The work addresses and refutes common objections to this interdisciplinary approach. It is positioned as a pathbreaking effort to make Darwinian tools accessible to a range of academic disciplines.