Darwin's Basic Argument in His Book Essay

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Darwin's Theory And Arguments

The existence of life on earth, the multitude of life forms, and the variations within each have intrigued man since times immemorial. The explanations ended where they were supposed to begin, 'The Origin'. When the religions took over the philosophical mindsets of the masses, they sought to offer the origin through divinity and supernaturalism. The various scientific and logical theologies until such time had tried and failed to capture the enormity of the creation into natural laws even in isolated parts. The various branches of thoughts tried to accumulate and present proofs that supported their explanations but found little resonance in those times. The firm grip of Religion on masses was a vehicle on which the Genesis rode and it was accepted as a rule that the divine power breathed life into living beings of each species and man. It was a conviction that was accepted by and large. Over time this thought became so well entrenched that all attempts made in following times that challenged any perception about the Genesis were immediately expunged and scientists or theorists were apprehensive of putting forth their observations, howsoever meaningful. In the meantime, scientific and industrial field saw new laws and developments.

Scientists and innovators brought into existence revolutionary changes in the way man travelled much faster ways of transport than those driven by horse-drawn carriages; had light at night with the flick of a switch, the way he could ride the seas in huge vessels and the like. However, that was a parallel thought, and at the most material achievement. The most astounding creation- the Living being was left untouched. At least in the sense that those who did try to put forth any theory in that direction faced the wrath of the believers and even punished for their temerity to question the Genesis.

There were many fields (geological, chemical, physical, paleontological etc.) in which scientists and inventors found traces of life forms that must have existed but became extinct were ascertained. The data however, was imperfect and the scientists were unable to explain their theories based on the differentiated claims. The scientific field was tempered by the discontinuation of proofs of branching and evolution of life forms. The thought process was constrained in two major ways- 1) the changes took place very slowly over ages, and the fossils were unable to store all of it; 2) it was difficult to explain the findings in a manner that would not challenge divinity and yet be acceptable.

Darwin's Theory

Explained for Consumption

It was against this backdrop that Darwin's theory about the origin of life or rather the evolution finds significance. Darwin took the help of drawing parallels between the creations of man in the scientific and industrial world (Darwin, 2002). He explained his theory of evolution through instances of making of factories, drastic changes in the farms and in other devices and implements that man had access to by then. The second important factor in his theory was that the Origin was still unknown. He offered no explanation on that count. His theory gained very wide acceptance very soon. In a painstaking effort that took almost nine years he put together the various available links (gained from fossils and variety of life forms that he encountered in his voyage aboard HMS Beagle) showing the relationship between the species as were then known. He argued that the changes are still taking place. We are not able to comprehend them as we are limited by the knowledge and imaginations about our mind about what might have happened or existed a million years ago (in this he cites the example of the landmass sculpted by the flowing water or winds boring holes in the mountains). Darwin in judicious in his pronouncements about the future though. He does concede that the next stage of evolution is unknown, but that the climatic and changed living conditions do have a bearing on the transformations taking place. He attaches significance to the law of natural selection. The parents produce many offspring's and those fit to survive pass on their capabilities and strengths to the next generation. This he states is the explanation of improved, variation in life forms. Those unfit for survival do not find a place in the evolution (Campbell, 2003).

To sum up, Darwin's theory can be understood to revolve around the following sequence

Progeny through reproduction acquire the subtle changes that keep occurring in living beings.

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Survival of the fittest decides the continuation of lineage. The parents produce many offspring's out of which only few survive.

The strongest and fittest in turn survive the environmental changes to propagate further change in the next generation.

Thus, natural selection decides an entire generation.

In his only relevance to origin can probably understood when he states that there are only four or five animal and tree life forms. The vast variations of species we observe today are the transformations over the ages induced because of natural selection (and rejection) and environmental conditions in which the species were transported. He called them adaptation to conditions (Campbell, 2003).

Judicious Presentation

It was not that Darwin's theory of evolution, origin of species had not been attempted before; only that it had not been presented in the form that would have been acceptable in the current times. Any scientific presentation in those times was influenced by the rigor in the works of scientists like Newton and Lyell. The main scientific rigor accepted in those times was the inductive methodology. In order to make the existing (but unaccepted) theory of transformism and evolution acceptable he founded the more acceptable explanation of Natural selection. Secondly he stopped short of publishing his work before he collected independent and varied sources through many branches of science (principally geology, archeology, paleontology apart from chemistry and biology) to substantiate his claims. Darwin was very cautious in his approach to the scientific as well as the religious sentiments prevailing in those times. The scientific angle was answered by the many different species he had scrutinized after Herschel sought scientific presentations in the way the intellectual community was expected to offer theories. Gould has prepositioned his evolution and descent of origins in the following form. (John Angus Campbell, Darwin's Origin and the Problem of Intellectual Revolution, University of Memphis). Darwin' contribution through his theory of natural selection and descent of origin lies in the way science was seen through a new perspective. He thus, established a redefined way of approaching scientific rigor and presentation (Campbell, 2003).

The Creationist

Darwin had no doubt that in the very least all forms belonging to the same species or class bear same characteristics in their embryos through their adulthood (Darwin 1859, pp. 483 -- 84).

His theory was that variations have been carried on from generation to generation, without respite, and continue to do so. His contention is that life started from a simple and single life form (where he offers no distinction from the Genesis). Initially the changes were slow owing to the simplified structure and minimalistic life forms (p. 488). Over eons, when a very large variety of living beings inhabited the earth, the changes became distinct and can now be comprehended. Darwin is possibly suggesting that there were no other intrusions by the creator after the first instance. (Cosans, 2005)

The creationist stance taken by Darwin in Origin [End Page 364] is possibly borne out of his religious upbringing and the scriptures and essays he had had the chance to absorb during his creative years. Those impressions can be seen when he confesses that he used to think that various species were introduced from time to time during the travel of time through some supernatural means. His philosophical leanings however are later clarified; the entire living world is a unified whole, originating from one single living being, whose 'origin' is left unexplained (at least in the same tenor as natural selection is emphasized). In as much, using his literary prowess he likens the continuance of natural law of selection to the Newtonian laws of gravity (Darwin 1859, p. 490).(Cosans, 2005)

The 'creationist" in Darwin sums up his explanations by defending his theory of natural selection. He uses the 'tree of life' (Darwin 1859, p. 130) allegory. He reminds the reader that the human being is but one twig of the whole Tree of life. Most of the living beings seen today- animals, trees, and human being have common lineage that are very few in number. That there was somehow only one being into which life had been bestowed (Darwin 1859, p. 490). Hence the branching off took place from a single entity.

Conclusion

Darwin chose to ignore the basic question about origin of life in his "Origin" in the strictly scientific temper. He sought the help of God in creating his first living being of beings. Thus, strictly speaking, Darwin offers less than.....

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