Charles Darwin Flashcards
1
Q
Where were Darwin’s theories?
A
- Evolution as such: species can change into other species, and no species just pop up new. Each of them has one common ancestor, then build from there and changes from generation to generation.
- Common descent: every group of organisms descends from one common ancestor. This provides unity for the living world, which was previously not there.
- Gradualism: the whole evolution is a slow and slight process over time. There are no sudden changes.
- Multiplication of species: species change and become new species by mixing with the original and newly derived species, so there will be more and more species.
- Natural selection: the survival of the fittest. Fittest means best adapted, not the strongest. Those who are best and most suitable to the environment survive.
2
Q
Why were Darwin’s theories corrosive to societies, their contribution to science and their effects on religion?
A
- Afraid of religious criticism, especially from his wife.
- Natural selection is against the idea of the love of God.
- Gradualism against the time frame set in the Bible.
- Human characteristics as a result of chance are against the divine plan of God.
- Darwin: human comes from apes. Humans are part of the animals’ kingdom (without rationality), not above it. Evolution is aimless, just survival, no direction and by chance.
- Conflict with Enlightenment ideas. (the natural mechanism is not perfect but is an individuals mechanism so there is no unity)
- There is no logical order in nature and society.
3
Q
What was men’s role in nature and how did Darwin’s theories shift it?
A
- People are not superior to nature since we are part of nature and animals. People have instincts with rational thinking.
- Social Darwinism: creating the best society with an aim of artificial selection. E.g. white, male, European superiority. What you need to take from other people in order to survive.
- Separation of what should be and what is it. e.g. justification of slavery
