The Coming of Evolution: The Story of the Great Revolution in Science

The theory of evolution is one of the most important and well-supported theories in all of science. It explains how the diversity of life on Earth came to be, and it has revolutionized our understanding of human origins. But how did this theory come to be?

The Coming of Evolution The Story of a Great Revolution in Science

by Jeffrey Michael

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	306 KB
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In The Coming of Evolution, historian Edward Larson tells the story of the scientific revolution that gave rise to the theory of evolution. He begins with 18th century scientists, such as Georges-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon, who first proposed that species were not static but could change over time. He then follows the work of 19th century naturalists, such as Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace, who developed the theory of natural selection.

Larson's book is a fascinating account of the scientific debates, discoveries, and conflicts that led to the acceptance of the theory of evolution. He shows how the theory has transformed our understanding of the natural world, and how it continues to be a source of controversy today.

The Early Naturalists

The first scientists to propose that species could change over time were the early naturalists, such as Georges-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon. Buffon was a French naturalist who lived from 1707 to 1788. He believed that species were not fixed and immutable, but could change over time through a process of "degeneration."

Another early naturalist who proposed that species could change over time was Jean-Baptiste Lamarck. Lamarck was a French naturalist who lived from 1744 to 1829. He believed that species could change over time through a process of "inheritance of acquired characteristics." Lamarck's theory was later shown to be incorrect, but it was an important precursor to Darwin's theory of natural selection.

Darwin and Wallace

The theory of evolution by natural selection was first proposed by Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace in 1858. Darwin and Wallace were both naturalists who had traveled extensively to study the natural world. They had independently come to the same : that species evolve over time through a process of natural selection.

Natural selection is a process by which those individuals with traits that make them better adapted to their environment are more likely to reproduce and survive. Over time, this can lead to significant changes in the population of a species.

Darwin and Wallace's theory of evolution was a major breakthrough in science. It provided a natural explanation for the diversity of life on Earth, and it revolutionized our understanding of human origins.

The Acceptance of Evolution

The theory of evolution was not immediately accepted by the scientific community. Many scientists were skeptical of the idea that species could change over time. However, over time, the evidence for evolution became overwhelming, and the theory was eventually accepted by most scientists.

Today, the theory of evolution is one of the most important and well-supported theories in all of science. It is a cornerstone of modern biology, and it has revolutionized our understanding of the natural world.

The Impact of Evolution

The theory of evolution has had a profound impact on our understanding of the natural world. It has helped us to understand how the diversity of life on Earth came to be, and it has revolutionized our understanding of human origins. The theory of evolution has also had a significant impact on our understanding of ourselves. It has helped us to understand our place in the natural world, and it has taught us that we are not the center of the universe.

The theory of evolution is a powerful and transformative idea. It has changed the way we think about the world, and it has helped us to understand our place in it.

The Coming of Evolution is a fascinating and informative account of the scientific revolution that gave rise to the theory of evolution. Larson's book is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the history and significance of this important scientific theory.

The Coming of Evolution The Story of a Great Revolution in Science

by Jeffrey Michael

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	306 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	62 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE