Charles Darwin revolutionized science with the publication of The Origin of Species in 1859. Darwin showed evidence proving the evolution of life. All life had a common ancestor, with new forms of life adapting over time to their environment. Others adapted Darwin’s views in directions he opposed. Social Darwinism argued that regulation interfered with “the survival of the fittest.” Eugenics supported not letting “undesirables” reproduce. Some worried evolution would threaten morality and opposed teaching it (Scopes Trial).
Early Life
Charles Darwin was born in Great Britain on the same day (February 12, 1809) as Abraham Lincoln. Darwin, unlike Lincoln, was the son of wealthy and well-connected parents. His grandfathers were a doctor and a successful industrialist. His father was a physician.
Darwin loved nature from an early age, collecting insects and plants as a child. He had trouble finding his way, not succeeding in medicine, and not being too excited about becoming a clergyman. His true passion was biology, including collecting beetles.
Darwin was exposed to dissenting views in college, including the latest opinions on evolution. Erasmus Darwin, his grandfather, had some controversial ideas. The senior Darwin had some theories about the development of life that clashed with traditional biblical-based ideas.
HMS Beagle
Darwin’s college tutor in 1831 recommended him as a “gentleman naturalist” on a voyage around the world on HMS Beagle. Charles spent the next five years travelling around the world.
(He was no fan of sailing, regularly being seasick.)
Darwin once observed very similar finches with different-sized beaks. The finches adapted to their environment. The different beaks were suitable for the food available to them.
“Darwin’s finches” later became famous as a supposed “eureka” moment for the theory of evolution. They do provide a great case study. Darwin himself did not say much about them.
Pigeons played a greater role in the development of his ideas about evolution. He spent a lot of time breeding pigeons. Darwin argued that the many forms of pigeons arose from a common ancestor. I am somewhat biased here since my father raised pigeons.
Marriage
He returned from his journeys and married his cousin Emma Wedgewood. Her more conservative beliefs led Darwin to be careful about publicly expressing his more controversial views.
Emma and Charles had ten children. The death of Darwin’s favorite daughter, ten-year-old Anne, in 1852 was especially hard. Emma relied on her deep religious faith to handle her grief.
Charles was hesitant about being open about his religious doubts. He explained late in life that he had become an agnostic, not sure about the existence of God.
Origin of Species
Darwin spent a long time researching and analyzing his specimens and observations.
He developed his theory of “natural selection” to explain the diversity and complexity of life. Species adapted to their environment. Those best suited were the most likely to reproduce. They would then pass their characteristics to their offspring.
Animals and plants over a very long period of time “evolved” (changed). Darwin was pushed to finally publish his ideas when he learned someone else had developed similar ideas.
He published The Origin of Species in 1859. He explained how complex life forms evolved from simpler organisms. Darwin later applied his theory to humans (The Descent of Man).
Charles Darwin continued his studies until he died in 1882.
Controversy
Darwin’s theory provided a natural and scientific explanation for the origin of life.
He argued that all species were connected by a common ancestor. These beliefs clashed with traditional Christian beliefs. Were humans truly descended from apes?
Did Darwin’s theory remove human uniqueness and our divine origins? Many feared that evolution would threaten religion and morality. Like his grandfather, Darwin’s views were criticized.
Others argued that science and religion could still exist together. Darwin’s theory explained how life developed. God and religion were no less incompatible than in the days of Isaac Newton.
Social Darwinism
Charles Darwin’s theory of natural selection was a scientific explanation of the evolution of life. His theory was adapted over time, especially as we learned about genetics.
Herbert Spencer adapted Darwin’s biological theories to the economic and social worlds. Spencer supported laissez-faire, a loosely regulated capitalist society.
He argued that the “survival of the fittest” would naturally succeed. A social welfare state that helped the poor and workers was immoral. It would only help the weak and “unfit.”
Charles Darwin did not support “Social Darwinism.” He thought it was an ethical obligation for humans to support the needy and did not oppose a social safety net.
Eugenics
Francis Galton, Darwin’s cousin, developed the concept of eugenics (“good birth”).
Galton argued that society should encourage, by force if necessary, so-called undesirables not to reproduce. Many states in the United States began to forcibly sterilize certain people.
The science involved was very faulty. A glaring case was Carrie Buck, whose sterilization was upheld by the Supreme Court. Buck was not an unfit, immoral woman (she was raped), and her child was not a third generation of “imbeciles” (she had a perfectly fine school record).
Eugenics showed how Darwin’s beliefs could be abused as society tried to “play God.”
Teaching Evolution
Teaching evolution has led to controversy in the United States.
The famous Scopes Trial in the 1920s was in response to a law against the teaching of human evolution that clashed with the Bible. People argued that evolution threatened morality, was based on dubious science, and that local communities had the right to decide what to teach.
Science education became more acceptable over the years. There continued to be some opposition to the teaching of evolution. Over the years, different means were used to “keep God in science class,” including creation science. This led to multiple court battles.
Many people (perhaps one-third in the United States) still question human evolution.
Darwin’s discoveries, however, have wide support. “Darwin’s Day” (his birthday) is celebrated to promote the study of science. His basic ideas of evolution have stood the test of time.