Creationism vs. Evolution

Essay by Anonymous UserHigh School, 12th gradeA+, October 1996

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Creationism vs evolution: through the eyes of Jay Gould

It has been over 100 years since English naturalist Charles Darwin first told the world his revolutionary concept about how livings things develop. Evolution through natural selection and adaptation was the basis of his argument as it remains to this day a debated subject by many. Across this nation, a 'return' to 'traditional' values has also brought the return of age old debated topics. One issue that truly separates Americans is the issue of creation versus evolution. Since the 19th century, this divisive topic has been debated in school boards and state capitols across America. In many instances religious fundamentalists won the day by having banned the instruction or even the mention of 'ungodly' evolutionary thinking in schools. With today's social and political climate, this question is back with greater force than ever. This is why this subject is more important now than ever.

In Jay Gould's book The Panda's Thumb, an overview of and an argument for Charles Darwin's evolutionary thinking is conducted with flowing thoughts and ideas. This essay titled 'Natural Selection and the Human Brain: Darwin vs. Wallace' takes a look directly at two hard fought battles between evolutionists and creationists. Using sexual selection and the origins of human intellect as his proponents, Gould argues his opinion in the favor of evolutionary thought.

In this essay titled 'Natural Selection and The Human Brain: Darwin vs. Wallace,' Gould tells about the contest between Darwin and another prominent scientist named Alfred Wallace over two important subjects. These topics, one being sexual selection and the other about the origins of the human brain and intellect were debated by men who generally held the same views on evolution. However on these two subjects, Wallace chose to differ as he described it...