Darwinism: The Controversial Theory of Natural Selection Explained

Thread starter Jikx
Start date May 3, 2003

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The discussion centers on the validity of Darwinian Natural Selection, with a focus on two types of selection: NS1, which represents stasis, and NS2, which represents evolution. The argument posits that both types are fundamentally the same, leading to the conclusion that if Natural Selection is responsible for evolution, it must also account for stasis. Critics argue that the environment plays a crucial role in determining evolutionary outcomes, with stable environments leading to minimal change and dynamic ones fostering significant evolution. The conversation highlights a misconception that evolution is solely a function of species, emphasizing that environmental factors are essential in the selection process. Ultimately, the consensus is that mainstream scientific understanding of evolution is well-established, despite ongoing debates from those resistant to the concept.

May 18, 2003

Phobos

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Originally posted by GlamGein
Darwin's ideas on Natural Selection were pretty good, I will give him that much credit. But he was no genius. In fact, the same theory was formulated at the same time by a guy named Wallace, and if it wasn't for the goading of friends, Darwin never would have published. His ideas about sex were a little too "of his era" to be palatable.

For a breakdown of evolution and some cool articles, go to talkorigins.com, I think it is.

Genious schmenious. What does that matter?

To paraphrase Gould, new scientific ideas are "in the air" and many researchers simulataneously wave their nets around. The ideas of evolution were around even before Darwin and Wallace. (Is that like Wallace and Gromit? ) The thing is that Darwin developed the idea further and gathered/presented the evidence more thoroughly than ever before. Even Wallace acknowledged that Darwin presented a better case than he did. (Wallace & Darwin wrote to each other often once their initial publications were issued.) Darwin was also correct in some aspects of the theory where Wallace was not (e.g., effects of other evolutionary "forces" like sexual selection, applicability of natural selection to the human brain).