The Ultimate Influence
Charles Darwin, otherwise known as the father of the Theory of Evolution, has made many observations, discoveries, and language that many people know and understand today. Though much of his findings were self-discovered, he was influenced by proposals of individuals before his day. A man who played a substantial role in Darwin's logic relating to natural selection was Jean-Baptiste Lamarck, a botanist and zoologist from the late 1700's to the early 1800's.
Lamarck was the first one to propose the idea that humans evolved from lower species via adaptation (the root of Darwin's natural selection theory). He wanted to dig deeper into how this occurred in nature, and came to conclusions that species conformed due to environmental change. He figured that species would acquire adaptive change and pass them on to their offspring. His basic "laws", per say, were that species would lose traits that that were not useful to them, and use and develop the traits that were and the law of inheritance of acquired traits. Lamarck also cam up with the exposition that life started out quite simple and built up into a complex human form. Though some ideas were later proven inconsistent with nature, these discoveries were staples pieces in Darwin's configuration and understanding of evolution and natural selection.
In a sense, Darwin took the simplicity of these ideas and was able to observe and embellish the truths and science behind it. He used Lamarck's idea of the simplicity of life to conclude that all life comes from a common ancestor. Darwin also took on the idea that species change over time and that offspring inherit important/useful traits. Though Darwin was unable to prove this relation via DNA or through modern technology, his patient observations and senses to recognize these notable and essential adaptations in nature. Darwin's essential points of natural selection through reproduction and useful adaptations (pertaining to environment and survival) stemmed from Lamarck's laws.
Darwin was inspired by many bright thinkers and observers, but Jean-Baptiste Lamarck's reflections on natural selection and the beginning of life forms pushed Darwin in the right direction. It is difficult to say that Darwin would have never came to these conclusions without inspiration, but Lamarck's impression on Darwin is hard to ignore. Darwin took Lamarck's foundation findings and decorated, expanded, and augmented them to aid him in his discoveries.
Religion dictated individuals not only spiritually, but was the foundation of society and the government. "God" was a ruling force during this time period, deeming the sciences almost taboo. Because Darwin's ideas were so abstract, and essentially far off from what the bible had told society of the world's beginnings, the church took offense to him bold claims about the origin of existence. Though many church goers were inclined to turn away from his ideas, his findings were so alluring, that many felt torn between the sciences and religion; this new information had many questioning their faith. Regardless of the negative repercussions from the church, Darwin's Origin of Species published and largely purchased throughout the era.
Sources:
http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Acquired_characteristics
http://www.darwins-theory-of-evolution.com
Sources:
http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Acquired_characteristics
http://www.darwins-theory-of-evolution.com
Hello!
ReplyDeleteI also believe Lamarck was Darwins strongest influence in the creation of Natural Selection theory. But, I would like to mention that Lamarcks theory was fully abandoned until Gregor Mendel published his findings on heredity. In their time, no one understood heredity very well, so they could not have the facts of the method traits are changed. Up until Mendel, Lamarcks theory was widely accepted.
You're right. Maybe now, with all of the ideas mapped out for us, it's easier to see the direct connection/impact Lamarck may have had.
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DeleteThe lack of a reliable explanation for inheritance was actually a significant problem for both Lamarck and Darwin. The prevalent theory of their day was "Blending Inheritance" and if you think of the obsession with "bloodlines", this will make sense. Blending inheritance suggested that inheritance was fluid, with the heritable material of one parent blending with another. Well if you have ever mixed two different fluids together (imagine milk and Coke), you know that you don't get milk AND Coke, you just get a disgusting mess. And that was the problem with blending inheritance. It didn't account for the fact that traits were passed whole to the next generation or even disappear and reappear fully from one generation to the next. This didn't match predictions of blending inheritance which would just "blend" away all differences in the long run.
DeleteAs Luis suggests, it wasn't until Mendel's theory of particulate inheritance that the expression and retention of traits across generations could be explained. More on that next week.
Hey, I also believe that Lamarck was one of the greatest influences. Although his theories and observations were proven wrong, they were a start to something new and he just needed a little bit more approach and put more research into it. Luis's comment above was also news to me. I wasn't aware the Gregor Mendel published his findings on heredity. Like I mentioned in my post, I believe there are many others who had the same observations and even if theories were proven wrong, many people could have picked up information from that.
ReplyDeleteGreat job overall.
Very good description of the basic principles of Lamarck's theory. Keep in mind that Lamarck was the first to propose an actual mechanism explaining "how" evolution occurred, not just "if" it occurred. This is a big deal and, although Lamarck's ideas turned out to be incorrect, this first step in evolutionary theory laid the path for those like Darwin to follow.
ReplyDeleteWhile I appreciate what you are arguing in the next paragraph, this section asked you to refer to the bullet points in the guidelines and select the points that you feel apply to Lamarck's work. Three stand out, namely the point on environmental change, the importance of traits being heritable and the necessity of reproduction to evolution.
Good discussion on the influence of Lamarck on Darwin. There is no doubt that Lamarck's ideas had their influence on Darwin, but was that influence so significant that Darwin couldn't have conceived of natural selection without Lamarck? I'm not willing to argue in favor of that point.
"...the church took offense to him bold claims about the origin of existence."
Actually, the church didn't know about Darwin's theory until after he published it, so they didn't directly prevent Darwin from publishing. That doesn't mean the church's influence didn't have an indirect impact on Darwin's decision to publish, which is what this question is asking you to consider. Darwin delayed for more than 20 years before publishing. So what caused his delay? What were his concerns? What repercussions might he and his family have experienced as a result of publishing this controversial work in this scientific and religious environment?