Darwin Assignment

1.          I feel that Thomas Malthus had the most positive influence over Darwin’s development of his theory of natural selection. Thomas Robert Malthus, was an 18^th century economist and a clergyman at the Church of England.  In 1798, Malthus published, Essay on the Principle of Population. The essay described that the human population will grow in areas that have plenty of food and resources and areas that have less resources will struggle to survive. Populations will outgrow food and resources available which will lead to starvation and poverty unless people exercise restraint.

After reading Malthus’ essay, Charles Darwin realized that much of his own research of nature resembled Malthus’ description of human population.  Darwin realized that the growth population or lack there of applied to not only humans but also to nature.  He saw competition between individual species.  For example, a bird with a sharper beak may have a better chance of survival or reproduction.  Therefore, the struggle to survive or the survival of the fittest as applied to nature helped Darwin shape his ideas for the Natural Selection.

2.    Thomas Malthus contributed to the scientific community by observing the growth in population and how it relates to hunger, disease, struggle and survival.  He also observed the population of animal and plants and studied how they produce offspring.  Malthus is best remembered for his influence and contribution to Charles Darwins theory of natural selection. http://evolution.berkeley.edu/evolibrary/article/history_07

 

3.       Thomas Malthus most directly affected the following point:    Resources are limited.

Malthus Essay on the Principle of Population focused on population growth, resources, and the natural outcome from these influences.  Without the proper resources there will be a struggle to survive.  These theories influenced Darwin’s work. In Darwin’s natural selection demonstrates that resources are limited.

4.       Could Darwin have developed his theory of natural selection without the influence of Thomas Malthus?

The following quote is from Charles Darwin’s autobiography (1876), “In October 1838, that is, fifteen months after I had begun my systematic inquiry, I happened to read for amusement Malthus on Population, and being well prepared to appreciate the struggle for existence which everywhere goes on from long- continued observation of the habits of animals and plants, it at once struck me that under these circumstances favourable variations would tend to be preserved, and unfavourable ones to be destroyed. The results of this would be the formation of a new species. Here, then I had at last got a theory by which to work".

This quote clearly states that Malthus’ Essay on the Principle of Population (1798) was crucial  to Darwin’s theory of natural selection.  I do not believe he would have come up with his theory without this viewpoint from Malthus.

5.       How did the attitude of the church affect Darwin and his eventual publication of his book on the Origin of Species?

           Religion was very powerful in the early nineteenth century Britain.  The church was heavily connected politically and socially. Darwin was social and while living in London he rubbed shoulders with affluent and influential scientists.   Darwin attended church regularly and his wife was very religious.  His theory undermined the Christian belief and he knew it would get negative response. The church had a big influence on Darwin as he was very reluctant to publish his theory in fear of repercussions for himself and his family.  Darwin waited  20 years to publish his Origin of Species and he only decided to publish it after he received a paper from Alfred Wallace whose paper stated the same theory his own.  Darwin knew if he didn’t publish his book soon then he would receive credit.