by Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution had many unintended consequences. His theory states that society has limited resources and that there aren’t enough goods to be distributed to everyone. As a result of this, Darwin’s theory presents the idea that organisms which are more adapt to survive, will outlive those that are seen to be inferior. This theory is extremely relevant in the field of science. Darwin’s theory of natural selection has many critiques. This theory has provided the basis of many different types of discrimination against individuals based on their race and social class. While this theory isn’t the immediate or main cause of these problems that exist in society, the theory validated claims that were perceived. Although Darwin’s work has allowed for advances in the field of science, it has also created a division between people based on their race and other characteristics which make individuals different.
Even though Charles Darwin made significant contributions regarding the topic of evolution, he is not the first person to have theorized about this topic. Darwin’s childhood was relatively gentle. He was born into a loving family who helped foster his love for science. For example, his grandfather Erasmus Darwin, wrote about the classification of plants. Darwin would further his education at the University of Edinburgh where he worked on projects dealing with soft body invertebrates. Additionally, he researched theology at the University of Cambridge. Darwin was influenced by many scientists who had their own views on evolution. He used the works of William Paley to influence his work at first. William Paley wrote theological works where he developed expositions that used teleological arguments to validate God’s existence. Charles Lyell was also another person who greatly influenced his work. Lyell was a Scottish geologist who wrote Principles of Geology and argued about uniformitarianism. Uniformitarianism notes how the earth was previously shaped by the scientific processes that still exist today. These include water, land erosion, and wind. He also claimed that earth had existed for many years and was extremely old. Darwin made significant advances in the field of evolution, but it was through the influence of other individuals that he was able to make these findings.
Darwin made significant discoveries dealing with the theory of natural selection, however, his findings have many critiques. While imperialism was occurring prior to Darwin’s findings, his work justified many of the racist ideologies of Europeans. For example, many European nations used his theory of natural selection to justify their treatment of many African individuals. They often used physical characteristics to make these conclusions. For example, there were some African tribes that were much smaller than the typical European male. Due to this, they saw themselves as superior. Moreover, skull size was another form of rationalizing their views. In their view, Africans had smaller skulls, and this meant they were therefore not as smart or intelligent. White Europeans thought that their colonization was helping their subjects. Europeans claimed that the goal of imperialism was to assist people and help them arise out of the current state which they lived in. This was usually a complete lie. Europeans would often plunder many of the resources in these African states. They would then take these resources back to Europe and make them into goods which they would then sell back to Africans. They told Africans that by using their products, it would make them seem whiter. In their opinion, being whiter meant that they were more civilized. Another group that was influenced by Darwin’s theory was the Nazi party in Germany. They based their persecution against the Nazi as a result of their ethnic background. The Holocaust resulted in the death of almost 6 million Jews. Darwin’s theory, along with many other theories regarding evolution created many of the marginalization of individuals in society. For instance, it has fueled racism and divided people based on what they look like. Ultimately, Darwin’s theory has provided society with many benefits, however, it has also changed the way we think about others. We often choose to associate ourselves with those who look the same as us. Many of Darwin’s theories have been highly criticized by many, however, it has provided us with another way of thinking about how the earth was formed. Darwin’s theories have been extremely influential in the way in which we think about evolution.