The theory of evolution
Darwin’s theory of evolution
❖ Brief introduction ❖ Three features of evolution ❖ Influence
Darwin’s theory of evolution is also called Darwinism. It is about the idea that all plants and animals develop gradually from simpler to more complicated forms by natural selection, which is the process by which only plants and animals that are naturally suitable for life in their environment will continue to live, while all others will die.
Three feathers
❖ The Premise ——all life is related and has descended from a common ancestor
❖ Natural selection—— acts to preserve and accumulate minor advantageous genetic mutations(变异）.
1882: died and buried in Westminster Abbey ,close to Newton , he was one of only five nineteenth-century non-royal personages from the United Kingdom to be honoured by a state funeral(国葬)
❖ The theory found an opposing force in some religious creeds that declared it incompatible with their basic tenets（原则）. For a time， evolution sometimes falsely interpreted as meaning human descent from monkeys rather than descent from an ancient and extinct ancestor, became a target for attack by both church and educational authorities. The conflit continued even as late as the time of the Scopes trial. Nevertheless, the theory of evolution became firmly entrenched as a scientific principle, and in most creeds it has been reconciled with religious teachings.
Darwin and his revolution theory
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Two parts
❖ A brief-introduction of Darwin ❖ The theory of evolution
Darwin ,1809-1882. British naturalist and evolutionary biologists, , The founder of Darwinism. Father of modern biology
1831～1836: the voyage lasted almost five years
The route of the voyage which lasted almost five years
the turtle and birds that Darwin saw In his vert Darwin was born in Shrewsbury , Shropshire , England
1825～1827:as an apprentice doctor in the University of Edinburgh Medical School
1828～1831: Christ's College, Cambridge 1831～1836: the voyage lasted almost five years
1855: begin to write something about the evolution
1859: He published his book On the Origin of Species
❖ A slow gradual process —— natural selection acts only by taking advantage of slight successive variations; It can never take a great and sudden leap, but must advance by short and sure, though slow steps."
❖ The influence of this evolutionary theory upon scientific thought and experimentation cannot be overestimated（过高评价）. In the years following the promulgation of Darwin's theory of evolution, many accepted and many denied its validity.