This work investigates the extent to which evolutionary theory has been transformed from a scientific framework into a secular belief system or myth. Mary Midgley, a moral philosopher, examines how the language and metaphors of evolutionary biology are frequently co-opted to provide a sense of purpose and direction in a post-religious society. She argues that these quasi-religious narratives often distort scientific findings to support specific ideological agendas, urging readers to distinguish between empirical biological evidence and the speculative, value-laden interpretations layered upon it.

Philosophers and historians of science frequently cite this text as a critical examination of the boundary between scientific fact and ideological narrative. Readers often note the analytical rigor of Midgley's prose, which serves as a foundational critique for those interested in the intersection of ethics, biology, and cultural belief systems.