The great CREATOR of all things has infinitely diversified the works of his hands, but has at the same time stamped a certain similitude on the features of nature, that demonstrates to us, that the whole is one family of one parent. (Erasmus Darwin)
Thinking about the musings from Day 75: The Scientific Revolution – Part 3 – Part 2,….
I would submit to you that the Theory of Evolution brought forth by Charles Darwin does not exist without the influence of his grandfather Erasmus Darwin. I would further submit to you that if there is no Erasmus Darwin, the Theory of Evolution would still have ultimately been brought forth by someone other than Charles Darwin.
At the end of the day, I could present to you a book review of the 502 pages found in On the Origin of Species written by Charles Darwin in 1859. I could pull perhaps dozens, (or more), of scientists and other thinkers…provide perhaps dozens, (or more), of facts, (and/or opinions), these individuals have opined…with perhaps dozens, (or more), of footnotes, books, articles, journals, and other writings, since 1859, regarding this book written by Charles Darwin.
The issue with that approach however will be counter-productive for three reasons:
1) It would take up much more space here than I originally intended;
2) A book review of his book outlining the Theory of Evolution has already been written and perhaps most importantly…
3) Would you honestly read all of that?
So, for the sake of space, time, and getting to deep into the weeds, I will try to keep it simple for another reason:
Since Charles Darwin has already critiqued On the Origin of Species, he is the most reliable source regarding his book outlining the Theory of Evolution.
As I previously mentioned in: Day 75: The Scientific Revolution – Part 3 – Part 2, Charles wrote the following in a letter to his friend Joseph Hooker in 1871:
“But if we could conceive in some warm little pond with all sorts of ammonia and phosphoric salts, – light, heat, electricity & present, that a protein compound was chemically formed, ready to undergo still more complex changes, at the present day such matter would be instantly devoured, or absorbed, which would not have been the case before living creatures were formed.”
On the surface, perhaps there may be a case to be made for this theory.
Consider the following:
Darwin is laying the case for evolution by claiming that organisms inherit select behavioral and/or physical traits, over generations. Darwin claimed that the population of these organisms already were varied, as he claimed to have noticed with the beak shapes in finches found on the Galapagos Islands.
Following the premise of his theory, these organisms with these varied traits would allow them to adapt to their environment, so that when it is time to reproduce, their offspring will inherit these adaptive traits. For those organisms who do not have the traits needed to adapt to their environment, their survival rate will be lower and those those organisms will not pass them on.
Therefore, over generations, survivable traits will reproduce to the point that the population of this organism will change, will evolve, over time.
It is this evolution that Darwin suggested, that would justify how a “warm little pond” could in theory be the epicenter for a common ancestor, as it produced “more complex changes”, eventually producing the genetically diverse species that you see on planet Earth today….
There is just one problem with the Theory of Evolution…Or more specifically, at least 9, that Charles Darwin came up with himself regarding his own Theory of Evolution brought forth in his book, On the Origin of Species, in 1859:
1) Such simple instincts as bees making a beehive could be sufficient to overthrow my whole theory.
2) It is impossible to conceive of this immense and wonderful universe as the result of blind chance or necessity.
3) Not one change of species into another is on record … we cannot prove that a single species has been changed.
4) The fact of evolution is the backbone of biology, and biology is thus in the peculiar position of being a science founded on an improved theory, is it then a science or faith?
5) Everything in nature is the result of fixed laws.
6) From my early youth I have had the strongest desire to understand or explain whatever I observed. … To group all facts under some general laws.
7) Why, if species have descended from other species by insensibly fine gradations, do we not everywhere see innumerable transitional forms.
8) Light may be shed on man and his origins.
9) On the ordinary view of each species having been independently created, we gain no scientific explanation.
So, if Charles Darwin found at least 9 issues with his Theory of Evolution, a theory that he spent 502 pages writing about, is that the end of the issues regarding this theory?
Considering that Charles Darwin had no, formal scientific experience, there is a case to be made that his claims are nothing more than 9 opinions that he had questioning his Theory of Evolution.
So what about the science and the Theory of Evolution?
That will be covered after some rest.
Do not feel discouraged if you are still having an internal struggle with the validity of the Theory of Evolution. Do not feel discouraged if you cannot understand the issues Charles Darwin brought up himself regarding the Theory of Evolution. Instead, focus on the fact that as you continue to learn more about Charles Darwin and his Theory of Evolution, realize the peace that will come once you do come to a more thoughtful, and scientific, conclusion regarding the Theory of Evolution and how it ultimately relates to your eternal salvation.
“12 It is I who made the earth and created mankind on it. My own hands stretched out the heavens; I marshaled their starry hosts.” (Isaiah 45:12 KJV)
Was today’s blog a little confusing at times? Was the content perhaps a little overwhelming? Did you feel lost not understanding some or most of the subject matter?
Those feelings are totally understandable and it is ok to have one or more of those feelings. Remember that you are reading Day 76: The Scientific Revolution – Part 3 – (What Did Darwin Really Think?).
If you haven’t been in class since the first day of school…or when the project began…or when the contract was first signed, etc., these feelings make perfect and logistical sense.
Please feel free to go back to where all of this began: