Darwinism - The Theory That Shook The World

Essay by Mark BarkerHigh School, 12th grade November 1995

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The Theory That Shook The World

Other than Mendellson and his studies with genetics,

Darwin has by far contributed the most to our modern science.

From his theories on variation of species to his explanation of

natural selection Charles Darwin has shocked the world by proving

the world older than previously thought and creatures not

immutable. In this present day these theories are as common

belief as a simple mathematical equation such as two plus two

equals four; but in the year eighteen hundred and fifty nine

Darwin not only risked his reputation with these far fetched

findings but also the risk of being excommunicated from the

church. Previous to Darwin the thought had been that the world

itself was only a few hundred years old and that all creatures

were made by God in those seven days as they lived exactly today

(Campbell p 421). Aside from past resistance, Darwin also comes

under scrutiny still today as missing fossils which are to have

been the bridge between a two familiar species are not yet found

(Hitching p 3).

Whatever the reason of belief or disbelief in

Darwin's theories, he astounded the scientific world as well as

the public and was able to convince many in the presence of a

misguided past belief. This fact alone makes him one of the most

important people of science ever.

Charles Darwin was born in Shrewsbury-Shropshire,

England on Feb 12, 1809 (GEA & RBi p 42). He was the fifth child

in a wealthy English family with a history of scientific

achievement with his paternal grandfather Erasmus Darwin who was

a physician and a savant in the eighteenth century (GEA & RBi p

42). As a young boy Darwin already showed signs of his love for

nature. When he was not reading about...