Charles Darwin

We don't use the word "true" to describe scientific theories. They either fit the facts or they do not. Darwin's theory of evolution fits most of the observed facts, and does so beautifully. A theory is useful if it makes successful predictions.

Darwin's theory has absolutely zero to do with belief in God. The Catholic Church does not hate God, yet endorses the view that evolution has occurred in much the way Charles Darwin described.

Is there a scientific theory that better explains the evidence from paleontology, geology, anatomy, and molecular biology? No. Therefore, we provisionally accept the theory of evolution as an accurate depiction of the origin of species. Again, this has nothing to do with whether or not God exists and/or loves you. Evolution is wrong. God is true.

Theories of evolution, particularly Darwin's theory of natural selection, were strongly resisted for various reasons including conflicting religious beliefs, societal implications related to human origins and behavior, and scientific challenges to existing worldviews. Many people found the idea of humans evolving from simpler life forms to be contrary to their religious beliefs and the idea that life forms were not divinely created went against long-held beliefs. Additionally, the implications of evolution challenged social hierarchies and traditional power structures, causing resistance from those who benefitted from the status quo.

Charles Darwin was a naturalist and biologist who is best known for his groundbreaking work in evolutionary theory. He is considered one of the pioneers of modern biology for his contributions to the understanding of the process of natural selection and the concept of evolution.

Yes. In a predator/prey environment, a fast predator puts a selective pressure on the population of their pray so that the fastest of the prey elude and survive. The faster predators can catch prey and the ones that don't die, so only the fastest of the predators survive... and it cycles this way so that only the fastest of the animals survives.

The same works for other situations. For example, birds develop better and better eye sight to spot their prey who are getting better and better at camouflaging themselves.

No, they were not aware of each other's work during their lifetimes. Darwin focused on natural selection and evolution, while Mendel studied inheritance through pea plant experiments. It was only later, in the early 20th century, that their ideas were combined to form the basis of modern genetics.

Jean-Baptiste Lamarck proposed the theory of acquired characteristics, which suggests that new organs or traits can appear in a species as a result of the organism's use or disuse of certain body structures. This idea posits that organisms can pass on these acquired traits to their offspring. However, this concept is not widely accepted in modern evolutionary biology.

Because it is based on a massive body of evidence that provides correct predictions of what we should find.


For example, humans have 46 chromosomes and the "great" apes (chimpanzees, gorillas, and orangutans) have 48. Why is this?

It was predicted that since we were the outlier, that we had a chromosome that fused. We started searching our genome and found teleomeres in the middle of chromosome #2. What does this mean? Well, since teleomeres are only found on the ends of chromosomes, this provided the evidence that our chromosomes had a head to head fusion.

Upon more research it was found that the genes on our Chromosome #2 (the fused one) directly correlated with the genes on two of the chromosomes of the "great" apes.


It has also been used to find specific fossils by predicting where the transitional species would be AND and what depth in the geological column. This is how we found a species of animal that was an ancestor of whales which lived both on land and in the water.


It's these kinds of correct, testable predictions that make evolution scientific theory.

Darwin's theory of descent with modification, also known as evolution by natural selection, proposes that species evolve over time through the process of variation and differential survival and reproduction. This means that species descend from common ancestors and accumulate changes or modifications that help them adapt to their environment.

Darwin's theory of evolution as proposed in "On the Origin of Species" does not differ from what scientists have discovered. The ongoing work still proves the theory today.
Bearing in mind that Darwin, and all others, did not know anything about genetics at the time he was writing, it is remarkable that he was able to propose the theory along with Alfred Russel Wallace at the time.

Very little, considering that genes and DNA were completely unknown in those days.

The only serious difference between Darwin's Theory and what scientists know today was that Darwin made several logical jumps in terms of how traits were passed from parent to offspring and had no idea about the historical record of fossils. Incorporating genetics and fossils into the study of evolution has allowed scientists to clearly explain how x became y using records and analyses unavailable to Darwin at the time.

1.) It takes billions of years.

2.) It creates bad structures like the human eye. While it is useful, it is poorly set up so there is a blind spot in it. It also gave a universal "tick" under the left eye, back pain in humans because of the curvature in the spine was good for walking on all fours like gorilla didn't adapt fast enough for when humanoids started walking on two legs. It leaves things hanging around like the appendix, a vestigial organ with some minor benefit but can be lived without, but has a much more detrimental effect of possibly causing death...

Darwin study the Islands of the Galapagos off the coast of Ecuador. These Islands had a large amount of biodiversity which was very astonishing because of there size and remoteness. Each island had its own species of the same animal which is why it was a great place to study the effects of evolution.

Charles Darwin was a naturalist who conducted his research and made his discoveries in the field of biology, specifically in evolutionary biology and natural history. His work on evolution through natural selection laid the foundation for modern evolutionary biology.

Charles Darwin was active around the 1850s. This was a time that education was on the uprise, but it was not really commonplace. Many people were active in church, and that is where they learned most of their views about life and creation. The church was also very active in selecting the school's curriculum, for those that did receive some education. Without a broader understanding of the world around them, it was difficult for them to accept anything outside of their church teaching. Darwin's theories were rejected by many on the basis of religious beliefs.

Through the years, education became more prevalent, and many church goers were able to reconcile some science with some of their beliefs. The ideals of religion and the theories of evolution have both developed through the years. Some of Darwin's ideas have been rejected by evolutionists, whereas some others have been accepted by creationists. Although not all of his theories stood the test of time, he was a pioneer in his field, and he started many scientist thinking about new and different possibilities.

Evolution does not need to be explained. It is the result of things that worked at the time. By worked it is meant things that allowed the ancestors of existing beings to survive and breed and have offspring to carry on genetic traits. A common thought is that evolution has a purpose that must be explained - survival is its purpose.

According to Natural Selection organisms compete to live. Now saying that, Natural Selection encompasses a whole range of competition, from competing for food to competing for mates. It is this competition as well as adapting to environments that hones in on variation and drives the change in species.

"Survival of the fittest" is a concept from evolutionary theory, suggesting that organisms best adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce. It does not necessarily mean the strongest or fastest will survive, but rather those most suited to their specific circumstances.

Evolution itself is a fact, as it can be observered in both the environment and in the laboratory. A theory is a statement or series of statements which describes and explains a natural phenomenon based upon a solid foundation of evidence. The theory of evolution fits into the criteria of a theory.

Evolution is a robust theory because it is supported by a wide range of evidence from various scientific fields, including paleontology, genetics, comparative anatomy, and biogeography. The theory of evolution can also make testable predictions that have been repeatedly confirmed through observations and experiments. Additionally, the concept of natural selection provides a mechanism by which species can adapt and change over time in response to their environment.

Darwin left Plymouth on 27 December 1831 on HMS Beagle.

The descent of modification is also known as the theory of evolution by natural selection. This concept, proposed by Charles Darwin, states that species evolve over time through the process of natural selection, where individuals with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and pass on their genes to the next generation.

Fossil records, anatomical similarities, embryological development, and genetic similarities are all forms of evidence that support the theory of evolution. These pieces of evidence show the gradual changes in species over time and provide support for the idea that all organisms are related through common ancestry.

Charles Darwin is known for the theory of evolution through natural selection. He proposed that all species of life have descended over time from common ancestors, and that the process of natural selection is the mechanism through which this evolution occurs.

Charles Darwin called his mechanism of change "natural selection." This process favors the survival and reproduction of organisms that are best adapted to their environment, leading to the gradual change of species over time.

The theory of evolution is important to modern biology because it provides a framework for understanding how organisms have adapted to their environments over time. It helps explain the diversity of life on Earth, the relationships between different species, and how organisms have evolved to survive and reproduce. Additionally, the theory of evolution is supported by extensive evidence from various scientific fields, making it a foundational concept in biology.