Sunday, 22 April 2007
Historian - Professor Kee Ae Ra
Introduction
In this webpage, you will be able to find out
- What was the prevailing theory on the origin of new species before Darwin formulated his theory?
- Did anyone have theories similar to Darwin’s?
- What role did religion play in regard to people’s beliefs concerning the origin of life on earth?
Scientific theories can never be come up out of nowhere, and Darwin’s evolution theory had also carefully considered and eliminated many other previous scientists’ work in the development of this theory. You should take note that these scientists and philosophers' theories and ideas were formulated provided with limited scientific tools and information available at that period of time.
The most prevailing theory that existed before Darwin had formulated his theory was the Lamarkian theory. There were many theories and evolutionary thoughts other than Lamarkian theory. As you read on, you would read about the history of evolutionary thoughts and you would be able to find out about how evolutionary thoughts of various scientists and philosophers have changed through time, leading to Darwin’s evolutionary theory by Natural Selection.
Sources of pictures
http://www.ilmyco.gen.chicago.il.us/Authors/Images/Lamarck296.jpg
http://img.sparknotes.com/figures/1/1534327ece5d347f8fe2828c8fdb7677/giraffe.gif
http://www.princessleia.com/images/MyImages/essays/giraffe_lamark.jpg
Wikipedia
http://www.sparknotes.com/biology/evolution/lamarck/section1.html