Essay about Darwin’s Dangerous Idea - 679 Words

At the beginning of the 1800s, scientists knew of some kinds of fossils, and were very aware of homologous and vestigial structures. Many scientists suspected that some kind of evolution had given rise to living things around them. However, they had no theory to explain how evolution might have occurred. Two scientists led the way in the search for a mechanism of evolution. The first was Jean Lamarck. The second was one of the greatest figures in biology, Charles Darwin. What is evolution? Evolution is a change in the traits of living organisms over generations. Since the development of modern genetics in the 1940s, evolution has been defined more specifically as a change in the frequency of alleles in a population from one generation†¦show more content†¦Natural selection, together with the rules of inheritance discovered by Gregor Mendel, stand at the basis of modern evolutionary biology. Darwin was the British naturalist who became famous for his theories of evolution and natural selection. Like several scientists before him, Darwin believed all the life on earth evolved over millions of years from a few common ancestors. From 1831 to 1836 Darwin served as naturalist aboard the H.M.S. Beagle on a British science expedition around the world. In South America Darwin found fossils of extinct animals that were similar to modern species. On the Galapagos Islands in the Pacific Ocean he noticed many variations among plants and animals of the same general type as those in South America. The expedition visited places around the world, and Darwin studied plants and animals everywhere he went, collecting specimens for further study. Upon his return to London Darwin concluded thorough research of his notes and specimens many ideas. Out of this study grew several related theories: one, evolution did occur, two, evolutionary change was gradual, requiring thousands to millions of years, three, the primary mechanism for evolution was a process called natural selection, and four, the millions of species alive today arose from a single original life form through a branching process called specialization. The movie Darwin’s Dangerous Idea was based on Darwin’s theory of evolution. ItShow MoreRelatedSummary Of The Documentary, Darwins Dangerous Idea 836 Words   |  4 Pagesdocumentary, â€Å"Darwin’s Dangerous Idea† tells the story of Charles Darwin’s conception of his theory of natural selection, and how it explains the evolutionary process and species adaptation. The story begins with a brief overview of his 5-year stint on the HMS Beagle as the ships naturalist, during her South American voyage. The film shows how Mr. Darwin collected fossils and many species of animals and birds from many different regions especially the Galapagos Islands. It portrays Mr. Darwin’s returnRead More Daniel Dennetts Darwins Dangerous Idea: Evolution and the Meanings of Life1022 Words   |  5 PagesDaniel Dennetts Darwins Dangerous Idea: Evolution and the Meanings of Life Science can give us as good a moral code as any religion. Or so Daniel Dennett claims in his book, Darwins Dangerous Idea: Evolution and the Meanings of Life. Dennett provides the tools to explain human morality, and inadvertently leads the way to the conclusion (which he does not share) that science can clarify how human morality came about, but not serve as a substitute or model for moral codes, religious and secularRead MoreThe Aspects Of Darwin s Life851 Words   |  4 Pagesinfluential in Darwin’s life, personal experiences, and beliefs. Darwin came from an Anglican family who strongly adhered to their religion (Mrs. Weiland 1/6/16). Because of religion, several of Darwin’s challenges included unintentionally contradicting his family and friend’s religious views when attempting to explain his theories. Unfortunately, during his time, his â€Å"truly revolutionary ideas† were regarded as â€Å"highly unorthodox, jeopardizing the church and the bibleà ¢â‚¬  (Darwin s Dangerous Idea 2002). Read MoreDarwin’s Theory of Natural Selection and Social Darwinism Essay811 Words   |  4 Pageshave had the opportunity to study them in basic biology. However, Darwins theories of selection and survival of the fittest have been applied to moral, economic, political, and other cultural aspects of society. Dennett briefly touched on some of the political and social ramifications of Darwins theories in the final chapter of Darwins Dangerous Idea. Other philosophers and thinkers have also adapted Darwins evolutionary ideas, in order to apply them in a societal or cultural context. One greatRead MoreCharles Darwin s Impact On The Scientific Community1478 Words   |  6 PagesCharles Darwin is one the most influential scientists in our history. Without his speculation and theories on evolution, the way we look at evolution today may have been very misguided. Darwin created new ideas and theories that dramatically changed the way we see sc ience today. His impact on the scientific community was both exciting yet controversial. Charles Darwin was born in Shrewsbury, England on February 12 in the year 1809. His parents were Susannah and Robert Darwin (BBC, 2015). WhileRead More Charles Darwin and the Scientific Revolution Essay1063 Words   |  5 Pagesby natural forces, including the struggle for existence in which the fittest members of a varying population survive, reproduce, and pass on their traits to the next generation.1 The impact that Darwin made in the science field was great since his ideas and theories formed a foundation that todays scientists constantly build on. Darwinss Origin of Species was widly disputed. When he studied the root of humans, his conclusions went against the original widespread beliefs that God hadRead MoreBoth Galileo And Darwin Are Legendary Figures Within Science1425 Words   |  6 Pagesmonumental impact on society during both their respective lives and modern day time. Their discoveries prompted discussion that challenged tradition and old ideas and despite not being appreciated by the entire public at the time, the theories they introduced have had long lasting impacts on our government and society today. Galileo and Darwin’s finding have a significant impact upon modern societal views on essential topics such as, science and ethics in everyday life. Controversial and philosophicalRead MoreEvolution Before Darwin1590 Words   |  7 Pagespatterns that I have observed in ancient creation myths regarding the creation of the world. What once felt like a random bombardment of infinite stories, now feels li ke a handful of calculable stories told by an infinite number of story tellers. Darwins theory of evolution, his creation myth regarding the origin of the world and of species, is not an exception. The theory of evolution is not as innovative as was once thought; in fact, the major observations embodied within the theory of evolutionRead MoreHow Darwin Has A Profound Effect Beyond The World Of Science1396 Words   |  6 Pagesprofound effect beyond the world of science. Through analysis of several elements of pop culture, one can see how their underlying themes are related to Darwin. The impact of Darwin’s principles can be seen in video games, literature, and television. The relevance of Darwin’s work can be observed in video games. For example, Darwin’s theory of natural selection can be applied to the general gameplay of Pokà ©mon FireRed. Darwin states that individuals with variations best suited for the habitat surviveRead More Transcending Evolution: The Human Consciousness, or The Soul1400 Words   |  6 Pages In 1838 Charles Darwin wrote in his journal Man in his arrogance thinks himself a great work worthy the interposition of a deity. More humble and I think truer to consider him created from animals. (Rachels, 1990) Daniel C. Dennett refers to Darwins theory of evolution as a universal acid, a theory so powerful it seeps through every traditional concept and leaves behind a revolutionized world-view, resulting not only in a fundamental shift in the way in which we perceive ourselves as human beings