An Analysis of Darwin's Theories - Essay Example

Number] Charles Darwin Charles Darwin was one of the evolutionary theorists of the nineteenth century. He was a prominent figure in his time and was known for many of his great contributions. Darwin was the first evolutionary biologist and it was his publication On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, or the Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life that marked a new era in the naturalistic thinking. His publication did not only influence the biology science field, but in fact it was also a major contribution towards literature, art, theology and philosophy. In his publication, Darwin talked and identified that the genetic mutation is the mechanism that controls the specie development combined with natural selection. His theories gave new concepts and abolished many of the former theories which existed in literature and science. He represented that nature had a competitive struggle which was always present but not recognized. He also abolished the common views under the Romantic theory where nature was a benevolent force and where the role of God was pushed to the existence of humans on the earth. Mainly Darwin is known as a major contributor in the field of science and biological evolution; however, apart from this his work is also recognized as revolutionary for the intellectual social scientists, philosophers, and writers. Many of these people started to explore the ideas and theories of Darwin and implied the naturalistic theory to the religion, science and religion frameworks (Smith 25). Darwin had a strong family background where his grandfather was an evolutionary biologist in the eighteenth century, and by profession he was a poet, botanist and physician who had immense love for science. It is from him that Darwin adopted this interest in nature from a very early age. He became interested in the lives of animals, the plants and the reality of the natural world. While in college, Darwin’s great interest for science and nature exploration were identified by John Henslow who later encouraged him greatly. Darwin started studying geology and set off on a journey to South America. Throughout the course of his journey, he largely became attracted and inspired by the nature around him. Because of his trip he published the Journal of Researches into the Geology and Natural History of the Various Countries Visited by H. M. S. Beagle (1839). In this time, he was responding to the natural, biological and geological theories and thus formulated his own theory of natural selection. It was, however, this time when he evolved as a naturalist in England. His concept basically stated that all living creatures and their species have descended over a period of time from the same ancestors. In the scientific framework, this concept focused on the system of evolution which started from a process called the natural selection. The process, according to Darwin, was one in which the struggle for existence is similar in effect to artificial selection which involves in selective breeding. His work spread an immediate responsive vibe throughout the country where in some places it was appreciated, and in others it became a controversy. Because of this he became the most recognizable figure of his time. Darwin continued to publish editions of his book despite the criticism. Descent of Man and Selection in Relation to Sex were published in 1871, and they were another effort of Darwin to compliment his evolutional biology theory. These books again resulted in an uproar throughout the critics of the country. Darwin was a reserved person and thus he responded to these criticisms by regaining his focus towards the study of animals and plants and aside of the evolutionary framework (Dawson 45). As a result of his interest in science and love for nature, most of his books were on the topics of botany, geology and zoology. He covered many scientific topics in various aspects, and these books were praised by critics. In his early published book the Journal of Researches Darwin writes his experience and response towards the nature and beauty of the observations he had in the Brazilian rainforests and Tierra del Fuego. These writings focused more on the cultural and native experiences that he had and thus they differ from his other scientific books. He wrote his personal accounts and responses in a more personal style. In his book On the Origins of Species, Darwin drew arguments that the environmental factors are the factors because of which the genetic mutations produce changes in the living species by giving a chance to the individuals to learn to survive in that environment and reproduce the same species in huge numbers. He called this process ‘descent with modification”. He confirmed that a large number of changes in species was due to the environmental factors in which they were thrived to live and survive. These theories became a part of his evolutionary concepts which expanded to the human origins, forms of lives and religious explanations. Much of the criticisms to Darwin’s theories came from the religious leaders who strongly objected on his concept of the origination of mankind. They argued that this evolution was merely God’s matters and ways to bring his designs to the world. At another place, it was argued that the humans are too imperfect to see the natural selection and believing natural selection theories meant denying God. Many scientists argued that the genetic information does not play a role in the evolutionary biological changes as stated by Darwin and that the natural selection theory may have humanly responses, but scientifically; such concepts simply did not exist. Scientists and philosophers further argues that the natural selection concept may last long in physical terms, but in the intellectual terms it had a short term evolution in regard to the emerging ideas and intellectual capacities of present day. Lack of scientific proofs and methods were also reasons why Darwin’s theories were criticized (Graham 121). Although Darwin’s scientific and religious aspects were challenged, it cannot be denied that his work provided the world of literature with some of the most amazing and unforgettable pieces of art and writing. Work Cited Dawson Gowan. Darwin. Literature and Victorian Respectability. UK: Cambridge University Press, 2007. Print. Graham Peter. Jane Austin and Charles Darwin. UK: Ashgate Publishing Limited, 2008‎. Print. ‎ Smith Jonathan. Charles Darwin and Victorian Visual Culture. UK: Cambridge University Press, 2006‎. Print. ‎ Read More