Charles Lyell- Darwin's greatest influence for the
Theory of Natural Selection
Charles Lyell is considered the founder of modern geology. Lyell
was also a close friend and mentor to Darwin. Lyell gained praise for his
published work for example Principles of Geology,
where he argued for the theory of Uniformitarianism. Uniformitarianism is the theory that the earth's features are the result of
long term processes that continue to operate in the present just as they did in
the past. After elaboration from Lyell, the theory opposed catastrophism and
greatly contributed to the concept of immense geological time. Lyell also
emphasized that for such slowly acting forces to produce momentous change, the
earth must be much older than previously suspected.
Darwin's method
for evolution was natural selection through gradual change in the genome in reaction
to factors pressuring from the environment. Geological gradualism and uniformitarianism,
gave Darwin a geologic time frame in which his method of natural selection
could operate. Charles Lyell elaborated on the theory of Uniformitarianism, which
greatly contributed to the concept of immense geological time. The small genetic differences and mutations
that accumulated in an organism to shape the radical changes leading to the
differentiation of new species needed constant environmental pressures over a
long period of time. Gradualism and uniformitarianism allowed for both of these
criteria and so influenced Darwin's theory of evolution by means of natural
selection.
Since Lyell
was a mentor to Darwin, I believe that Darwin drew allot of inspiration from
Lyell's ideas and concepts. Therefore, if not for Lyell and the theory of
uniformitarianism Darwin would have had a very difficult time developing his
method of evolution with natural selection.
Darwin's
book, On the Origin of Species, was
very controversial because it not only contradicted what the church preached
but also the Bible. Darwin knew that his book would be the first to challenge
bible teachings. Wanting to avoid what happened to Galileo, Darwin avoided publishing
his book until he felt confident in his ability to defend his work. Overall,
the church had allot of influence on Darwin's work.
http://evolution.berkeley.edu/evolibrary/article/history_12
Interesting. I can see your point how Uniformitarianism would relate to Darwin's theory of Natural selection. The argument is well articulate and very solid.
ReplyDelete"Geological gradualism and uniformitarianism, gave Darwin a geologic time frame in which his method of natural selection could operate."
ReplyDeletePrecisely correct. You did a good job explain this key significance of Lyell's work.
It isn't often that I credit a scientist as being indisposable to another's work, but in this case Lyell is one of those few who I think might actually have been crucial to Darwin (Malthus was another). Without that solution to the issue of time, Darwin was truly stuck.
Darwin wasn't the first to tweak the teachings of the Church (as you mentioned with Galileo), but he was still very sensitive to the possible ramifications to publishing his theory. Was he only concerned for himself or was he worried about how others (family/friends) would be impacted?
Other than this final point, good post.
Jennifer,
ReplyDeleteI also chose Charles Lyell as his work seemed to highly influence, and support Darwin's theory. I found that you made a lot of very valid points, I found it especially important how you completely explained Uniformitarianism, which is something I didn't do. I enjoyed reading your blog, and I found it well written and very informative.
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