This paper evokes the memory of the British naturalist and scientist, Charles Darwin on his 200th birthday. The best way to do so is to invite our readers to reflect on some ideas of three books of his: The origin of species (1859), Descent of man (1871) and The expression of emotions in man and animals (1872). After presenting the importance and appropriateness of Darwin in the contemporaneous debate, the text rapidly explores the historical precedents of the so called "theory of evolution" and the reactions to it. It then situates Darwin's works in its historical context and presents a brief history of these three books and an analysis of their main ideas. As a conclusion, it summarizes how Darwin's ideas question contemporary science and, more particularly, the reflection in the field of education.30108845866Bell, C., (1806) Essay on the anatomy and philosophy of expression, , London: LongmansBuffon, G., Histoire naturelle, générale et particulière, 44, pp. 1749-1788. , ParisBuffon, G., Oeuvres complètes, 12, pp. 1853-1855. , Paris: Robert LibraireCaillois, R., (1963) L'homme et le sacré, , 3. ed. Paris: GallimardCaillois, R., (1972) Le mythe et ĺhomme, , Paris: GallimardDamasio, A., (2003) O erro de Descartes, , São Paulo: Cia das LetrasDamasio, A.O., (2004) Mistério da consciência, , 5. ed. São Paulo: Cia das LetrasDarwin, C., (1859) On the origin of species by means of natural selection, , London: John MurrayDarwin, C., (1871) The descent of man and selection in relation to sex, , London: John MurrayDarwin, C., (1872) The expression of the emotions in man and animals, , London: John MurrayDarwin, C., (1909) The foundations of the origin of species: two essays written in 1842 and 1844, , Cambridge: Cambridge UniversityDarwin, C., (1989) Voyage of the Beagle, , London: PenguinEliade, M., (1963) Aspects du mythe, , Paris: Gallimard(1978) Darwin, Charles, 5, pp. 492-496. , ENCICLOPAEDIA BRITANNICA, 15. ed. Chicago: William Benton(1978) Evolution, 7, pp. 7-23. , ENCICLOPAEDIA BRITANNICA, 15. ed. Chicago: William BentonFoucault, M., (1992) As palavras e as coisas, , Trad. bras. São Paulo: Martins FontesGirard, R., (1972) La violence et le sacré, , Paris: GrassetLinnaeus, C., (1978) Enciclopaedia Britannica, 10, p. 1013. , 15. ed. Chicago: William BentonMakarius, L.L., (1974) Le sacré et la violation des interdits, , Paris: PayotMayr, E.W., (1981) The growth of biological thought, , Cambridge, Mass: Harvard UniversitySpencer, H., (1855) Principles of psychology, , London: LongmansVigotski, L.S., The history of development of higher mental functions (1997) The collected works, 4. , In: VIGOTSKI, L.S, New York: PlenunVigotski, L.S., Luria, A.R., (1992) Studies of the history of behavior: ape, primitive and child, , Edited and translated by I. Golod and Jane E Knox. New York: Lawrence Erlbaum