Thomas Malthus (1766-1834) had the most positive influence over Darwin’s development of his theory of natural selection. According to the University of California Museum of Paleontology, Malthus’ work in An Essay on the Principle of Population sparked a missing component in Darwin’s view on evolution which Darwin later called it natural selection (“Thomas Malthus”). Malthus was equating his view that overpopulation in mankind is inevitable if left unrestrained to his observation that in nature overproduction is also evident in plants and animals. Famine and poverty among Man is a natural force, according to Malthus, that causes a need for regulation.
Thus, Darwin independently became positively affected by developing what the sixth point says about how the ever changing environment causes evolvement in traits to help adapt: the whole mechanism of natural selection was influenced by this idea. The evidence that Darwin was influenced by Malthus exponentially is viewed in his autobiography where he states that by reading Malthus’s essay “got a theory” to work with (“Thomas Malthus”). The textbook states that Darwin was able to recognize that competition would then derive from the state of limited resources, and competition between individuals drives as key to the mechanism of natural selection (34).
Darwin’s genius was also hindered because without the help of Malthus’ works, Darwin could not have developed this theory. If a single person was to understand the complexities to which humankind operates under, there would be no need to seek understanding. Humans are not all knowing, so we need help from other like-minded people to collaborate with and share ideas. In Darwin’s case, Malthus was that like-minded figure.
In addition, Darwin understood the controversy of his discovery, which was directly linked to the attitude of the church. This aided Darwin in delaying his publication of his book, On the Origin of Species. The textbook recounts how Darwin, not only felt he had insufficient data, but understood that publishing his hypothesis would contradict the church’s belief system in creationism (39). He held off from publishing his work until Alfred Russel Wallace simultaneously came to the similar conclusion about natural selection (also influenced by Malthus’ work), so Darwin published his work wanting the credit to go to himself. Darwin revolutionized evolution theory with the mechanism of natural selection, which was heavily influenced by Thomas Malthus.
Secondary source: http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/history/malthus.html
Good background content on Malthus' work and good connections made with Darwin's theory.
ReplyDeleteYou did an especially good job discussing the interrelatedness of works of science. All theories are built upon the backs of others.
Darwin delayed publication because of how it contradicted the church's view, but it is more than that. He was worried about repercussions, both from a professional point of view and also from a personal/social perspective. He was very afraid of the impact on his family, particularly his wife who was devoutly religious.
Other than that point, good post.