Download The Rise of Evolutionary Science

Darwin’s Dangerous Idea
Jeffrey L. Richey, Ph.D.
GSTR 221-O: Western Traditions II
Berea College
Spring 2005
If one had to isolate a single all-consuming idea
which has taken hold of the human race in the post
political era in which we now live, it is the
interrelatedness of natural forms – the fact that we
are all on this planet together – human beings,
mammals, fish, insects, trees – all dependent upon
one another, all very unlikely to have a second
chance of life either beyond the grave or through
reincarnation, and therefore aware of the
responsibilities incumbent upon custodians of the
Earth.
-- A. N. Wilson, The Victorians (2003), p. 230
BEFORE DARWIN
• Exact date of divine creation
calculated by James Ussher
(1581-1656): October 23, 4004
B.C., with no change in species
since
• George Cuvier (1769-1832)
proposes “catastrophism” as
explanation for extinction, but
did not accept theory that new
species arise
• The Comte de Buffon (17071788) acknowledges change in
species over time, but knows no
explanation; estimates Earth’s
age at 75,000 years
• The Chevalier of Lamarck
(1744-1829) explains change in
species over time as
“inheritance of acquired
characteristics”
• Charles Lyell (1797-1875)
rejects “catastrophism” in favor
“uniformitarianism” (gradual
change by regular forces and
processes still acting on the
Earth today – e.g., erosion,
volcanic activity)
• By 1830s, change in species
over time acknowledged by
many, but explanation unknown
CHARLES DARWIN
(1809-1882)
• Born to wealthy English
manufacturing family
(heir to Wedgwood china
fortune)
• Studies theology at
Cambridge University in
preparation for Christian
ministry
• At 22, becomes ship’s
naturalist for H.M.S.
Beagle’s voyage of global
scientific exploration
(1831-1836)
The Voyage of the Beagle
THE ORIGINS OF THE ORIGIN
• In the Galapagos Islands,
Darwin observes 13
different species of finch
• Only 1 species of finch
exists on the nearest land
mass, the South American
mainland
• How did 1 species develop
into 13 distinct species?
• Darwin’s answer: “descent
with modification”
• The finches Darwin
observes have beaks
adapted to specific foods
and regions
• Darwin hypothesizes that
finches best adapted to
their environment survive,
thrive, and reproduce in
larger numbers than
finches that are less well
adapted
• Darwin calls this “natural
selection”
ON THE ORIGIN OF SPECIES
(1859)
• Darwin develops his
theory of evolution by
natural selection by 1838,
but does not publish it
• In 1858, he receives a
letter from Alfred Wallace
(1823-1917), who reveals
that he has independently
developed an identical
theory
• Wallace’s letter inspires
Darwin to publish his
theory and risk censure
Responses to Darwin
• Darwin is criticized on
four points:
1. The Earth is too young for
evolution to have taken
place
2. Genetic factors dilute over
time, making descent with
modification impossible
3. Only design can account for
complex life forms
4. The fossil record does not
reveal “transitional forms”
(missing links between
species)
•
Most of these criticisms
have since been refuted:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Earth = approximately 4.5
billion years old
Genetics and DNA verify
descent with modification
“Design flaws” are
abundant in nature,
suggesting problematic or
nonexistent purpose
Biologists continue to
debate whether evolution
is sudden or gradual
Consequences of Darwin
• For traditional Christians,
human beings are God’s
special creation, made in
God’s image (Genesis
1:26) and different from
all other life forms
• Regarding the world as
changing and chaotic
seems to deny God’s
perfect design for it
• Many, but not all,
Christians denounce
Darwin as a heretic
• For others, Darwin not
only explains biology, but
also society
• “Social Darwinism”
applies natural selection to
social problems such as
race relations, poverty,
and European global
domination
• Many feel that Darwin ‘s
discoveries justify
unchecked capitalism,
colonialism, and
competition of all kinds
Thus, from the war of nature, from famine and death,
the most exalted object which we are capable of
conceiving, namely, the production of the higher
animals, directly follows. There is grandeur in this
view of life, with its several powers, having been
originally breathed into a few forms or into one; and
that, whilst this planet has gone cycling on according
to the fixed law of gravity, from so simple a
beginning endless forms most beautiful and most
wonderful have been, and are being, evolved.
-- Charles Darwin, On the Origin of Species (1859), 1st ed.