Whether it is Lamarck¹s theory that evolution is driven by an innate tendency towards greater complexity, Darwin¹s theory of natural selection, or the belief that the evolution of plant and animal life is controlled by a higher being, the process of evolution cannot be denied. Archaeological investigations have proven that species evolve over time, but the unanswered questions are ³How?² and ³Why?² The answer lies in Charles Darwin¹s theory of evolution.
Charles Darwin was born in Shrewsbury, England on February 12, 1809. Mr. Darwin was easily bored with his studies as a child, he turned away from his father¹s footsteps and becoming a physician after seeing several operations performed without anesthesia. He became interested in geology and natural history and was not intrigued by his studies of the holy ordge University. He was sent on a trip to explore the world and while he was on this journey, he became enthralled with biology and geology. He made and wrote observations about coral reefs (1842), and volcanic islands (1844), but his greatest biological observations were those pertaining to his theory of evolution.
Darwin¹s findings begin in the Galapagos Islands where he noticed a wide array of finches whose beaks were different sizes. He believed that the physical conditions on the island did not affect the birds¹ beaks, but it was the birds¹ feeding habits. For instance, the birds with the large, powerful beaks ate large seeds, while the birds with the small or fine beaks, ate small seeds or insects. He theorized that each bird was suited to its surroundings and was adapted to its environment, thus the birds best suited to the environment prevailed and reproduced, leaving those who did not adapt, extinct.
In his book, On the Origin of Species, Darwin presented the idea that species evolve from more primitive species through the process of natural selection, which works spontaneously in nature. Darwinism states that not all individuals of a species are exactly the same, but individuals have variations and that some of these variations make their bearers better adapted to their particular ecological conditions. Not only does this theory make perfect sense, it is also very simple and difficult to dispute. Darwinism can be compared to the today¹s world by using an analogy such as, two people apply for a job, one person has the educational background and experience that is required to obtain the job, while the other does not. The person with the experience and education has better adapted himself to his surroundings, therefore the person who has adapted to his environment is given the job and the other remains unemployed.
Darwinism is often opposed by orthodox churchgoers who believe that their God is directly responsible for every happening in nature. This is a respectable opinion, but Darwinism and religious beliefs do not have to be in direct conflict, for example, in the Christian Bible in the book of Genesis (1:11-12,1:24) it is stated that God said, ³Let the earth produce all kinds of plants...So the earth produced all kinds of plants, and God was pleased with what he saw. Most Christians have difficulty believing that evolution is justifiable, all God commanded was that the earth was to produce the plants and animals, the Bible does not say that the earth looked like it does today, and we know, in fact, that it did not. The Bible does not explain how evolution occurred, what processes evolution entails, and therefore does not contradict it. The Bible describes how things began, and is not even very descriptive at that.
Charles Darwin¹s Theory of Evolution is an easily justifiable way of explaining the process of evolution. His ideas have made an enormous impact on the world, and have revolutionized biology. Though some disagree with Darwin¹s ideas, they are still worthy of acceptance and should be revered as one of the most intelligent and important biological findings in history.
On the Theory of Natural Selection
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