Lecture 11 - Reception of the Origin of Species Flashcards
What was Samuel Wilberforce’s view of the Origin of species?
He wrote a very negative review of the Origin of species and thought that Darwin’s work was irreligious
What was Thomas Henry Huxley’s view of the Origin of species?
He was a viscous defender of Darwin. • Reviews OOS fairly and positively – strongly believed that Darwin’s scientific ideas cannot be dismissed by religious/moral objections
Who coined the term “Agnostic” and when was it coined?
Thomas Henry Huxley
1869
What does “Agnostic” mean?
One does that believe in the existence of God simply because there is not enough evidence
What was the first modern book of human evolution and who wrote it?
“Man’s place in nature” 1863
Thomas Henry Huxley
What was Fleming Jenkin’s view of the Origin of species?
He wrote the most powerful negative review about the Origin of species
He believed that variation is everywhere and spontaneous variations are constantly appearing, not a one-off thing.
What theory did Henry Walter Bates develop?
Mimicry (only occur for species within the same area and nowhere else)
What was the Archaeopteryx?
Most famous fossil with a long bony tail just like a reptile
Who is Asa Grey and what is his attitude towards Darwin’s idea of natural selection?
He was one of Darwin’s strongest supporter in America.
Disliked natural selection as he wants more room for divine intervention
Who wrote “Explorations and Adventures in equatorial Africa” in 1861?
Paul Du Chaillu
What was Richard Owen’s view of the Origin of species?
He wrote an anonymous review to bash Darwin’s work and praised his own work
Argued that humans were different – wants to separate humans from animals
Claims that humans are different by saying that there is a structure in human brains that is different
What was the Great Hippocampus test (Richard Owen vs Thomas Henry Huxley) about?
• Huxley attacked Owen (said that the “special brain structure was also present in the brains of monkeys – not unique to humans)
Who wrote the book “Geological evidences of the antiquity of man (1863)”
Charles Lyell (Most radical book ever)
Said that humans existed for 50-60,000 years