Darwin's Impact: still great today...
We have already learned that Darwin's evolutionary theory of Natural Slection represented some weaknesses in that he could not explain and provide evidence for some important parts of it. This is why Darwin, when he was still alive, was criticized by different parties in society. While many scientists accepted the general idea that evolution as such occurs, they did not approve with Darwin's main idea of Natural Selection. They rather still believed in the idea of a supernatural creator who guided the complex process of evolution. This prevailing attitude continued to exist up until the beginning of the 20th century. However, with the rediscovery of Mendel's exploration about genetic mechanisms, parts of Darwin's theory could be explained from a completely different point of view so that the biologist's ideas enjoyed new popularity. Today the so-called "Synthetic Theory" is the dominant theory that is accepted in terms of evolutionary theory. Simply saying, it combines: Darwin's idea + classic genetics (Mendel) + population genetics.
Nevertheless, isn't it quite impressive that Charles Darwin had made such important discoveries, which, although he was not able to completely prove them, were correct in its basic assumptions? Even if single observations of Darwin might have seen rather simple and some had even been made before, it was Darwin who draw the right conclusions out of what he had been able to discover. And he did so without knowing anything about modern genetics. It is to draw the right conclusions and to generate a synthesis out of them that makes a great scientist. Considering this, there is no doubt that Darwin succeeded in doing so. This is why his theory of Natural Selection still today represents the foundation in evolutionary biology, into which new discoveries can be integrated.
Considering everything we have learned about Darwin and what impact he still has on science today, it shouldn't really surprise that even a so-called
"Darwin-Day" has been created. It takes place every year on February 12, Darwin's birthday. It is to honor what Darwin contributed to evolutionary theory. In 2009, we even had the "Year of Darwin" as it would have been his 200th birthday.
Nevertheless, isn't it quite impressive that Charles Darwin had made such important discoveries, which, although he was not able to completely prove them, were correct in its basic assumptions? Even if single observations of Darwin might have seen rather simple and some had even been made before, it was Darwin who draw the right conclusions out of what he had been able to discover. And he did so without knowing anything about modern genetics. It is to draw the right conclusions and to generate a synthesis out of them that makes a great scientist. Considering this, there is no doubt that Darwin succeeded in doing so. This is why his theory of Natural Selection still today represents the foundation in evolutionary biology, into which new discoveries can be integrated.
Considering everything we have learned about Darwin and what impact he still has on science today, it shouldn't really surprise that even a so-called
"Darwin-Day" has been created. It takes place every year on February 12, Darwin's birthday. It is to honor what Darwin contributed to evolutionary theory. In 2009, we even had the "Year of Darwin" as it would have been his 200th birthday.
