Influences on Charles Darwin
Charles Lyell (1797-1875)
I believe the most influential individual for Charles Darwin would have to be Charles Lyell. Lyell was thought to believe and provide evidence that the earth is consistently changing. He also theorized the earth was much older than the previously thought; due to the visualized changes. Darwin eventually also believed that if the earth can be this old, why cant the organisms that inhabit the earth be just as old? Hence developing his theory of natural selection, due to the evolution process.
Some of the most important contributions Lyell made to the scientific community were his help in aiding the belief that the earth was older the previously believed because of the changes with organisms throught the years, and beyond. Lyell who was a geologist, also believed that the fossil that were found in rocks were those of animals that lived before. Lyell and Darwin also both believed in uniformitarianism ,the belief that changes on the earths surface affect present day changes. However initially, Lyell did not believe in the theory of evolution until he read Origin of species, by Charles Darwin that Lyell began to adpot the idea the species infact do chnage over time rather than staying the same. Although the changes happen extremely slow and over many, many years. The key to figuring out the future changes is the look and the changes in the past.
The statement that the resources on earth are limited is very true. I believe that the changes within the species are a direct correlation between resources available and the species mean in which to get them. The perfect saying that fits this example is" only the strong survive." If a species is noit able to adapt or survive in their environment, eventually they disappear; and make room for other species, which will hopefully mirror the previous species in many ways.
Darwin would have not been able to develop the Lyell theories alone because Darwin beliefs were somewhat different than Lyell's beliefs. Darwin wondered if he proves the theory of evolution within the environment, why wouldn't the same theory relate to the organisms in the environment as well? He wouldn't have made that argument if Lyell wouldn't have presented it to him, and made him question his own theories.
The attitude of the church had a major affect on Darwin and his publication the the book Origin of Species. At the time of publication the church already had their theory as to the earth and everything in it was created. Once the book came it questioned all the the church taught and pretty much turned the church believers' world upside down, because now they were at a loss as to what to believe in regards to creation and how things were and became.
I agree Lyell played an extremely important role in Darwin's work. In fact Darwin's and Lyell's relationship helped Darwin spark his ideas about evolution and natural selection based on the differences in the animals found in the fossils. However, he could not explain why there was so much variation over the vast period of time. This is why I think that Malthus was the most important to Darwin's career. He is the one that helped explain why and how there were these changes in the species.
ReplyDeleteYour explanation of Lyell's involvement in Darwin's career was very thorough. I think that without the influence of Lyell's work Darwin's research and ideas on evolution would be delayed. It was one of the jump starting factors in Lyell's career.
Thanks, Jaqi. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Keeiana,
ReplyDeleteFirstly, thanks for your commentary on my blog.
As we both wrote about Charles Lyell, we both presented similar facts of Lyells contributions to and influence on Darwin's theories. In my research I too found that he was the most influential to Darwin because of his strong belief and evidence of the changing of the Earth as well as it being old. Your post was great and offered great points. Thanks for clarifying how the church felt about the Origin of Species. I could not find much information on in that regard but now have access to your link.
"Darwin wondered if he proves the theory of evolution within the environment, why wouldn't the same theory relate to the organisms in the environment as well?"
ReplyDeleteThat is definitely part of his contribution. You refer to the other contribution in the first section, in terms of time. Natural selection requires time to work slowly and deliberately. This won't work with a young 6000 year old earth. It does work with a million (or billion) year old earth.
You talk about the church's influence after the book was published but what about before? Why did Darwin wait more than 20 years to publish his work?