Charles Darwin

Survival of the fittest is a concept in evolution where individuals with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing those traits on to their offspring. It does not necessarily mean the strongest or most physically fit survive, but rather those best adapted to their environment. This process leads to the gradual change and adaptation of species over time.

The theory of evolution by natural selection is no longer just Darwin's theory because the theory has been modified and added to somewhat in the last 150 years +.

Still, the theory is supported by massive amounts of converging evidence, is internally consistent, has the ability to generated testable hypotheses and, doing what a scientific theory is supposed to do, explains much about the fact of evolution.

The theory of evolution by natural selection is the bedrock of biology.

A. It is no longer Darwin's theory as the theory of evolution by natural selection has been modified and added to since Darwin's day. Still, Darwin would recognize the theory as it stands today.

B. Science does not " prove " things as that is a mathematical concept. Science supports it's theories with overwhelming amounts of converging evidence.

That said, the theory of evolution by natural selection has been upheld scientifically for over 150 years and had withstood many tests and challenges. The theory of evolution by natural selection ios the bedrock upon which modern biology is built.

Mutation occurs at a rate of one for every ten million cell duplications. This is an insignificant number when compared to 100 trillion cells in a human body. Thus, the chance of having a couple of cells with a mutated form for every gene is possible without any noticeable effect. The reproduction system is a simple and powerful information system within the DNA molecule and it is a very stable system for transmitting that information. Mutations are very rare.

Researchers have by means of genetic breeding, changed a two-wing fruit fly into a four-wing fruit fly. The four-wing fruit fly consistently reproduces four-winged fruit flies. But although a new species has been produced, it is not a new "kind." The mutant fruit fly is still a fruit fly. As a matter of fact, the four-winged fruit fly is a weakened form. The second set of wings does not help the fruit fly; they actually get in the way. Its ability to take flight is dangerously hindered. Having been selectively bred in the laboratory, this species will also not survive without the caring assistance of researchers. This is a poor example of evolution by mutation. The bottom line is that mutations always weaken an organism and never change it into something else. The fruit fly remains a fruit fly.

Beneficial Mutations

Sickle Cell Anemia is often presented as an example of a favorable mutation. This is because red blood cells carry a sickle cell hemoglobin mutation that resists malaria. Although it resists malaria, 25 percent of those who have this mutant gene can still get the disease. Many have a hard time calling this a beneficial mutation when it brings with it a 25 percent chance of death. Sickle cell anemia causes a sickle shape hemoglobin molecule that bonds to another producing an enlarged molecular structure that cannot pass through the capillary walls. This condition occurs when the oxygen supply is low. How can a diseased hemoglobin molecule that was processed with incorrect information in the DNA be called a benefit to any body? This defect itself can kill a person.

No New Information

A basic information principle must be violated for evolution to be true. For an organism to evolve upward from simple to complex there must be an increase of genetic information. When mutations take place, however, there is an exchange of information or misinformation, but never an increase. The system is limited to what it has and therefore cannot create new codes. Most frequently, information exchange leads to a loss of information.

Apes to Humans?

An ape could, theoretically, mutate into a man by changing just one percent of his DNA. While the claim of a one percent DNA difference between man and ape is controversial and highly debatable, one might conclude, if we assume the claim to be true, that evolutionists have a point. One must remember, though, that all mutations have to be in exactly the same order as a human person's genome. It is estimated that one million mutations are required for every one percent difference. Moreover, all the mutations must occur exactly where the two genomes differ. How can one have a million mutations when each mutation has to be in the exact sequence to make a human? It's impossible. George Simpson, a well-known paleontologist and ardent evolutionist, estimated that it would take 10,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 chances to get five mutations in the exact order. Simpson concludes that simultaneous mutations as a process observed today had no part in evolution.

Scientists did not prove things then anymore than they prove things now. Evidence, masses of converging evidence support the theory of evolution by natural selection. Darwin, in his day, had much evidence to support his theory. All the way from artificial selection to island biogeography. Since that time the theory has moved on to where it is no longer just Darwin's theory, but modified and supported with so much evidence that the theory became the bedrock of biology. Go here.

talkorigins.org

Descent is important in various contexts to navigate safely and efficiently, such as in hiking, flying an aircraft, or skiing. It helps to control speed and elevation, avoid obstacles, and reach a destination in a controlled manner. Proper descent techniques are crucial for personal safety and overall success in these activities.

People were initially slow to accept Darwin's theories because they challenged religious beliefs about the origins of life and human existence. The theory of evolution also lacked sufficient evidence and faced opposition from established scientific and religious institutions. Additionally, the concept of natural selection was complex and difficult for many people to understand at the time.

The Theory of Evolution by means of Natural Selection, now called Neo-Darwinism or the Modern Evolutionary Synthesis was first properly supported and made famous by Charles Darwin, and (most importantly) best explained. Darwin came up with the mechanism by which animals and plants and all life changed over time: Natural Selection, and gathered evidence for it. The idea of evolution which seems always synonymous with Darwin is the most important idea in biology. You could immediately argue that cell theory and genetics are mind-bogglingly important, but even they are subsets of evolutionary science, evolutionary explanation. Darwin's evolution and Natural Selection is the greatest explainer in all of biology. That is why Darwin is important.

Darwin's theory of evolution, known as natural selection, proposes that species evolve over time through the process of genetic variation, adaptation to the environment, and differential reproductive success. Individuals with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and pass on those traits to their offspring, leading to changes in the population over generations.

According to Darwin, the key factor in evolutionary change is natural selection. This process involves individuals with advantageous traits having a higher chance of surviving and reproducing, passing on those traits to their offspring. Over time, this leads to changes in the population's genetic makeup, shaping evolution.

The better question would be; what biological sciences DO NOT support Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection. Evolution is the backbone of biology and the theory that explains much about evolution is the bedrock on which all biology is built, regardless of the apparent absence in some disciplines of biology.

It is no longer just Darwin's theory as many disciplines not formed then, and some extant then, have added to and refined the theory.

Genetics

Molecular cell biology.

Evolutionary developmental biology.

Biochemistry.

Geology.

Paleontology.

Population generics.

Botany.

Evolutionary biology.

And the list can go on.

Google, disciplines in biology, wiki.

Yes, environmental changes can drive variations in reproductive success, which is a key component of natural selection. Individuals that are better adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing on their advantageous traits to future generations. This process helps shape the evolution of species over time.

Although natural selection is affected by geology, and some knowledge of geology is certainly necessary to be able to interpret the evidence for the various phylogenies of evolution, these theories themselves do not affect geology. Evolution therefore remains a matter of biology, not geology.

One of the most prominent names to object to (parts of) Darwin's proposals was Richard Owen. Other than him, objections came mostly from religious corners. Acceptance of Darwin's hypotheses was very broad right from the start.

See links below for more information.

At the time some scientists did reject the theory, but by the end of Darwin's life the theory was, tentatively, accepted. Then genetics took off and the theory was panned again. 1900 t0 1932. Then the modern synthesis arose blending genetics with systematic thought, paleontology and botany and the theory of evolution by natural selection was on much firmer footing The theory has undergone many modifications since Darwin's day, as any scientific theory does, but, aside from some minor scientific challenges, the theory is still standing more than 150 years later.

Charles Darwin's contribution to science, particularly his theory of evolution through natural selection, revolutionized our understanding of how species evolve over time. His work laid the foundation for the field of evolutionary biology and has had a profound impact on numerous scientific disciplines, from biology to anthropology. Darwin's observations and ideas continue to influence scientific research and shape our understanding of the natural world.

Artificial Selection.

Fact #1: Darwin's theory of evolution proposes that populations of organisms originating from a shared common ancestor diverge, producing new species.

Fact #2: Darwin's theory of evolution proposes that the most important mechanisms driving the divergence of populations are reproductive variation and differential reproductive success.

Fact #3: Darwin's theory of evolution proposes that, following #1, all known life on Earth is ultimately related through descent.

A gratuitous fact #4: The modern theory of evolution is no longer limited to Darwin's original proposals. New facts have been found, new mechanisms proposed, and existing models and hypotheses refined to accommodate the new data.

The mechanism for change in Charles Darwin's theory of evolution is natural selection. This process involves the differential survival and reproduction of individuals within a population based on their inherited traits. Over time, favorable traits that increase an organism's fitness become more common in the population, leading to evolutionary change.

The idea that evolution is mathematically impossible is a misconception. Evolution is a well-supported scientific theory that explains the diversity of life on Earth through gradual changes in populations over generations via mechanisms like natural selection and genetic drift. Mathematical models and evidence from various scientific fields support the concept of evolution.

Survival of the fittest means that the humans who are not necessarily the best survive.

It means that only the strongest and most strong willed will survive to pass on their genes.

Weaker people more likely to get illness will eventually all die out and as always only the strongest will live on to go on and have more children.

Hope this answered your question.

Because in the wild there is a struggle for existence as more organisms are born than there are resources to support them. Thus, there is a wide variety of traits expressed by these many organisms and some of these traits confer survival and reproductive advantages which is what natural selection is selecting for.

Not at all alike.

Evolution is an observed and observable fact. The theory that explains much about evolution is well supported by the evidence and has been repeatedly tested. It also has made many testable predictions.

Flood myth? Whose flood myth? These myths are legion and many cultures have one. Not one of the myths has ever been supported by the evidence though.