1. 1. Alfred Russel Wallace
2. 2. Wallace supplied Darwin with the birds to test his theory of natural selection and he also had almost the same theory of natural selection which helped to support Darwin’s theory. (http://evolution.berkeley.edu/evolibrary/article/_0/history_14)
3. 3. I would say that Wallace directly influenced all of the bullet points because it said in the book that he was the co-founder of natural selection. I believe it was all helpful because it gave Darwin another scientist who found the same points to be true about evolution.
4. 4. Yes Darwin did come up with his theory without the influence of Wallace but the fact that Wallace had come up with almost the same exact theory Darwin was able to solidify his theory.
5. 5. I think the way the church responded to Darwin about his theory of evolution made it that much more satisfying when he published his book and many of the people and most branches of science adopted the belief of evolution.
Amanda,
ReplyDeleteI like your ideas of Wallace's influence. It is true that people cannot make solid beliefs without the help of others. After all, you have to learn and compare with someone to make those beliefs solid. Sort of like church.
The fact that the church was against Darwin's ideas probably made extremely hard to publish because he was studying to be a member of it, but the fact that once he did it changed the world, must have been, in turn, extremely rewarding.
Kendell
Amanda,
ReplyDeleteI agree that Wallace had very similar if not identical beliefs on natural selection as Charles Darwin, and I'm sure it helped Darwin to have a confidant by his side. In such a time where all of his beliefs were being challenged it probably helped a lot to have someone on his same "level." I also agree that having the church against him probably made him feel even that much more successful when he prevailed in the end.
Amanda,
ReplyDeleteI agree when you said that it was satisfying for Darwin when he published his book. Even though the church was against it, I read that every copy of his book sold the day it was released.
It is interesting to note that although Darwin didn't look to Wallace for inspiration, he could still reference back to him because their notes were so similar. I would agree that it was completely satisfying to sell his books through the struggles that church put him through.
ReplyDeleteClear, concise post. Yes, essentially every single bullet point is equally supported by Wallace and Darwin! Didn't make that connection when I set up the assignment. :-)
ReplyDeleteWallace did more than confirm Darwin's theory. There is some speculation that without Wallace's manuscript being sent to Darwin, Darwin may never had found the courage to publish his theory.
I actually think Darwin's satisfaction over a significant portion of the scientific community accepting his theory (and not all did by any measure) was negated by the stress of the conflict raised in that scientific community and the social pressures it placed on his family. It really wasn't until after Darwin's death that the theory was finally recognized for its significance.
Good post. I do agree that Wallace had contributed his help and research to Darwin in order to push his theory on evolution. Even going so far as to help get it published, and sold despite the church not agreeing and still standing by the belief that God was responsible for the world's creation. Although both had similar studies they were researching, both could reference from the other, and give support.
ReplyDeleteAmanda, I too was going to argue that Wallace had the most influence over Charles Darwin's development of Natural Selection. I was going to argue my belief on two points, one Wallace's letters to Darwin helped confirm Darwin's own hypothesis, and two had it not been for Wallace sending the letters to Darwin, maybe Darwin would have never published his book "On the Origin of Species." However, I kept coming back to the original question about the bunnies over reproducing and limited resources and I finally decided it had to be Malthus who contributed the most to the "development" of the Darwin's natural selection theory and not the near finished product which is what he had almost accomplished by the time he had gotten the letters from Wallace. I really struggled with this post and started thinking that maybe there is no "right answer." Anyway very thought provoking post!
ReplyDeleteCynthia (aka "Bones")