It is my opinion that Thomas
Malthus had the greatest impact on Charles Darwin’s findings and publication
regarding the natural selection. This is largely due to an essay Malthus
published, An Essay on the Principle of
Population. In this essay Malthus argued that advances in the size of the
human population could have drastic impacts and consequences in some areas due
to lack of available resources, and due to some populations taking resources
from other inhabited areas. Thereby, removing the availability of these resources
from other populations and decreasing fertility while increasing mortality
rates in the areas without proper resources such as clean water. “Malthus argued that population growth doomed
any efforts to improve the lot of the poor. Extra money would allow the poor to
have more children, only hastening the nation’s appointment with famine.“ (http://evolution.berkeley.edu/evolibrary/article/history_07)
Darwin was greatly influenced by
the finding of Malthus, yet Darwin applied the ideas Malthus provided to the populations
of all living beings on this Earth, instead of just humans. Malthus argument that
resources available greatly affected population is a key aspect of the process
of natural selection. Lack of resources causes creatures to adapt to the lack
of resources over time, or perish. In
conclusion, it is my belief that Darwin would not have reached his conclusion
regarding On the Origin of Species
without reading the observations of Malthus.
The findings of Malthus helped
Darwin considerably, yet other factors worked against Darwin as he honed his
theory of Natural Selection. Darwin was
a faithful Christian man, yet he knew that his theories would go against the
church. Therefore, Darwin delayed the release of his findings until he had
taken meticulous care of his evidence supporting Natural Selection and explained
it fully in his book On the Origin of
Species.
Victor,
ReplyDeleteI thought your description of Malthus' work was very strong, and I agree that he had a valuable impact on Darwin's own work. I also used information on UC Berkeley's anthropology website and found it very helpful.
However, I would not call Darwin a faithful Christian man. In our book, it says he was "fairly indifferent to religion" (34). However, I'm sure his studies in theology at Cambridge definitely made him aware of the Church's beliefs on evolution, and the dangers of publishing his book in the time period.
Victor,
ReplyDeleteI really did enjoy reading your post. I too felt the same way about Malthus having an effect on Darwin.
I also do agree on you point stating that he was a failthful Christian man, because that was why he did delay publishing his findings because he knew he was going against the Church.
Great opening explanation of Malthus' work.
ReplyDeleteYou do a good job laying out the logical path from Malthus to Darwin. Can you identify the specific bullet points from the guidelines that apply to Malthus' work?
"...it is my belief that Darwin would not have reached his conclusion regarding On the Origin of Species without reading the observations of Malthus."
Okay... I tend to agree with you, but you have to do more to convince me why this is so.
Good final section.