Essay Example on Darwin's Theory of Natural Selection

Introduction

Charles Darwin postulated a biological evolutionary theory that had not been hypothesized by scientists before him. Darwin published these ideas in a book, The Origin of Species (Browne, 2012). This book is considered by some to be one of the best books on human origins. Darwin’s theory of evolution was largely theoretical and he hoped that his ideas would be validated with advancements in science years later. However, at the time, most people, including his peers and mentors, found themselves rejecting his ideas. Over time, the ideas suggested by Darwin have been substantiated but only to a minimal extent. Therefore, it would be difficult to accept these ideas as the truth as Darwin’s theory of evolution fails to answer many questions. Darwin’s theory of evolution possesses several loopholes that have not yet been substantiated thus renders the theory insufficient in proving that this evolutionary theory adequately explains the origin of humans.

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Mate Choice

Darwin proposes a theory of mate choice that is based on aesthetics (Prum, 2012). However, Prum (2012) tells us that this theory has been refuted by Wallace. Wallace argues that this idea of sexual selection is impractical because it assumes that all chosen mates would be strong enough to survive. Wallace, therefore, theorizes an alternative method of choosing mates; one where mates are chosen by their ability to survive, per the model of survival for the fittest. This method of mate selection is later referred to as natural selection (Prum, 2012). Careful consideration of this idea of natural selection encourages one to believe that this indeed makes more sense than an idea of aesthetics. If an organism and its offspring are to evolve, then choosing a mate based on less important characteristics such as their aesthetics seems futile. This can be demonstrated by men's attraction to young fertile women (Bjork, 2013), whom they consider a vessel for continuity. Importantly, it is noteworthy that these women have generally wider hips (‘birthing hips’) (Bjork, 2013); therefore the aesthetic component in this particular scenario is still tied to reproduction and continuity.

Darwinian Theory suggests that the earth is millions of years old and that evolution occurred in cycles. He argues that dinosaurs became extinct to pave way for a new dominant species, humans, to evolve and take over. However, Zillmer (2015) has refuted this idea of the chronology of events. Zillmer argues that based on the numerous excavations that he has participated in, there is evidence that humans and dinosaurs coexisted, but dinosaurs were the dominant species of the time (2015). He also argues that there is currently no compelling evidence of mass extinction events and that the extinction of dinosaurs was a gradual process. It is impossible to ignore such earth-shattering claims especially when they are evidence-based. Interestingly, this is not the only mistake that Darwin made.

Transmissible Information

Charles Darwin proposed a theory of genetics whereby both inherited and acquired traits could be transferred from the body to the gonads and passed on to the offspring (Rose & Garland Jr., 2009). He referred to the body as being composed of units (‘gemmules’) that could replicate then transported to the gonads as transmissible information. This theory was however refuted and proven to be wrong by Gregor Mendel. Mendel demonstrated that acquired characteristics could not be passed on from parent to offspring (Rose & Garland Jr., 2009). Modern-day scientific advancements have not only confirmed but accepted as 'law' that the Mendelian model of inheritance is the only true form of genetics and Darwin and his colleagues were wrong in their description of models of inheritance. Therefore, it is important to ask ourselves what else Darwin could have been wrong about.

Understandably, I can appreciate that pro-Darwinians have their reasons for supporting the theories of Darwin. The argument of fossils is a strong and valid point that is used as a basis of argument. The discovery of fossils seems to underline and support Darwin’s theory of evolution. However, Waddell (2008) argues that this evidence is also not compelling enough due to the inconsistencies found in fossils. Taub (1993) also argues that the comparison between the evolution of language and species supports Darwin's theory of evolution. However, it is noteworthy that language and organisms evolve differently. Taub (1993) concedes that language can evolve cyclically, in that old phrases or language forms can be resurrected but species cannot evolve cyclically. Once a species is extinct, that marks its end.

Conclusion

The Darwinian theory of evolution has many loopholes that fail to solidify its position as an acceptable origin for mankind. Darwin’s theory of mate choice has been trampled by the idea of continuity. Darwin’s proposition of a major extinction event seems lacking due to new excavation evidence that suggests coexistence between humans and dinosaurs. Additionally, Mendel proved Darwin to be wrong about genetic inheritance therefore we should also consider he might have been wrong about evolution. Understandably, several arguments support Darwin's theory of evolution. However, evidence and reasoning against such exist. Darwin's ideas were mainly theoretical and he hoped that future technology would vindicate him. However, to date, there has not been sufficient evidence to support his theory.

References

Björk, J. (2013). Could musical mastery affect how attractive a person is rated as a prospective partner?.

Browne, J. (2012). Darwin's Origin of Species: a biography. Atlantic Books Ltd.

Taub, L. (1993). Evolutionary ideas and'empirical'methods: the analogy between language and species in works by Lyell and Schleicher. The British journal for the history of science, 26(2), 171-193.

Prum, R. O. (2012). Aesthetic evolution by mate choice: Darwin's really dangerous idea. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 367(1600), 2253-2265.

Rose, M. R., & Garland Jr, T. (2009). Darwin’s other mistake. Experimental evolution: Concepts, methods, and applications of selection experiments, 3-13.

Waddell, P. J. (2008). Fit of fossils and mammalian molecular trees: dating inconsistencies revisited. arXiv preprint arXiv:0812.5114.

Zillmer, H. J. (2015). Darwin's Mistake: Antediluvian Discoveries Prove: Dinosaurs and Humans Co-Existed. Adventures Unlimited Press.