1.
Although Thomas Malthus played a critical role
in the revelation of ideas regarding population rates and limits, I think that
Jean Baptiste Lamarck most significantly influenced Darwin’s development of the
theory of natural selection by suggesting that adaptation within species occurs
as a reaction to the environment. Darwin
applied this theory to his observations and research done while aboard the Beagle
2.
Lamarck was the first to suggest a gradual
evolution of a species as an adaptation to its environment, or use or disuse.
He also theorized that all species have a tendency to evolve into more complex
organisms. http://www.macroevolution.net/jean-baptiste-lamarck.html
3.
Lamarck suggested that if the environment
changes, the successful or adaptive traits to that environment will be different
and that organisms with the new traits will be more successful than others and
cause a change in the population. This theory became known as “Natural
selection”. He understood that in order
for natural selection to occur, reproduction must occur to continue to pass
these traits along.
4.
During his excursion aboard the Beagle, Darwin observed plants and
animals that seemed similar to species he was already familiar with, but with
slight variations. Darwin applied Lamarck’s theory that these differences occur
within a species due to differences in their environment, and was able to
continue to develop his theory of evolution or adaptation within a species
through natural selection.
5.
Darwin
was hesitant to publish his work because he was aware of the controversial
nature of its subject matter. Even his wife did not support the ideas found
within. The church maintained that any evolution of species was a result of a
miraculous action of God, but Darwin’s theory applied a natural scientific
process to this succession, and seemed to take the credit out of God’s hands
and put it in his evolutionary theory.
He finally published his book so that he would be credited with the
development of his ideas, instead of allowing Wallace to publish first.
I loved reading you post I found it extremely informative. I found it very interesting that Lamarck was the first to suggest a gradual evolution of a species as an adaptation to its environment, or use or disuse. This is something that I am interested in. After reading what you had to say I would have to agree that Malthus did indeed play a major role in Darwin’s work.
ReplyDeleteIn general, good job, with a couple of qualifications.
ReplyDeleteLamarck's theory didn't need to be quite as gradual as Darwin's since the body could essentially create itself around the particular need. It was a much more rapid process. I would have preferred you expand upon this section quite a bit more.
Lamarck's work was called "The Inheritance of Acquired Characteristics", not Natural Selection.
I would actually not use the site you sourced. It is advertising a "new" alternate to Natural Selection, called Stabilization theory, which I have frankly never heard of and seems to be an impulsive creation from the brain of the site's author. A brief look has me doubting everything on that site. Off the wall and, needless to say, untested.