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Chapter Two: The Evolution
of Evolution
McGraw-Hill
© 2005 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved
The Evolution of Evolution


How did our knowledge of the
history of living organisms move
from the realm of belief systems to
the realm of science?
How did the scientific evidence for
evolution develop?
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The Evolution of Evolution

“On the Shoulders of Giants”:
Explaining the Changing Earth

Through the work of Hooke, Steno,
Hutton, Smith, and Lyell-- and many
others-- the study of the earth shifted
from the supernatural to the natural.
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definitions

Evolution


Fossils


Remains of life-forms of the past.
Strata


Change through time; here, with reference to
biological species.
Layers; here, the layers of rock and soil under the
earth’s surface.
Stratigraphy

The study of the earth’s strata.
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Fig 2.2
J. Best Publishing Company
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definitions

Catastrophists


Comparative Anatomy


Those who believe the history of the earth is explained by a
series of global catastrophes, either natural or divine in
origin.
Comparing the anatomical features of various species.
Used to reconstruct a fossil species from fragmentary
remains.
Uniformitarianism

The idea that present-day geological processes can also
explain the history of the earth.
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The Evolution of Evolution

“Common Sense At Its Best”:
Explaining Biological Change


Charles Darwin was born into a world that
accepted the fact of biological change but
was still in search of a mechanism for that
change.
Lamarck’s model of inheritance of acquired
characteristics applied to the evolution of
long necks and tall bodies in giraffes.
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Fig 2.5
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definitions

Adaptation

The state in which an organism is
adjusted to and can survive in its
environment through its physical traits
and behaviors. Also, the process by
which an organism develops this state
through natural processes.
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definitions

Progressive


In evolution, the now-discounted idea that all
change is toward increasing complexity.
Inheritance of acquired
characteristics

The incorrect idea that adaptive traits
acquired during an organism’s lifetime can
be passed on to its offspring.
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definitions

Fitness


The relative adaptiveness of an
individual organism, measured
ultimately by reproductive success.
Natural Selection

Evolutionary change based on the
differential reproductive success of
individuals within a species.
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The Evolution of Evolution

Summary

As the scientific method was applied
to the study of the earth, scientists
gradually learned to give up their
presuppositions.
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Questions for further thought



The scientific research and ideas of
many early biologists and
geologists were influenced by
philosophical concepts.
Do you think such influences ended
with people lie Darwin?
Can you think of a modern scientific
matter that may be influenced by
beliefs?
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Questions for further thought

Whereas biological evolution is not
Lamarckian, the evolution of culture
is. How so?
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Questions for further thought



There are those who say that certain
areas of scientific research should be
avoided either because their results
might be misused or because the facts
generated might be unpleasant.
What sorts of research do you think
these people might be referring to?
How would you respond to such
cautions?
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