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...
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