Evolutionary theory of Darwin

The evolutionary theory of Charles Darwin is considered the most significant work in biology for the past more than a hundred years. However, disputes over this work have been going on since the day of its publication.

The evolutionary theory of Darwin developed under the influence of widespread ideas in England, reflecting the socio-economic conditions of that time - freedom of competition and the general struggle for existence in society. At that time they were considered a universal law of nature.

The evolutionary theory of Darwin was formed and in accordance with his own discoveries, which the scientist made while traveling on the ship "Beagle". After studying the geology of South American lands, he established himself in the conviction that natural factors are of great importance both in the history of the earth's surface and in the origin of plants and animals inhabiting the planet.

Paleontological finds allow us to determine the similarity between the animals that inhabited at the time the territory of South America, and extinct species. Darwin discovers some "transitional forms" that combine the characteristics of several units.

Importance was also given to the geographical distribution of organisms. Thus, Darwin found that the fauna of South America contains forms that are absent in the fauna of North America. But the scientist at the same time believed that the similarity of the animal worlds of both these territories existed earlier. The isolation of the faunas, in his opinion, subsequently occurred in connection with the appearance of a plateau in southern Mexico.

Of particular interest were the data obtained by Darwin in the Galapagos Islands, 950 kilometers from the western South American coast in the Pacific Ocean. These islands are of volcanic origin, and geologically are a young territory. During the study, the scientist noted a certain similarity of their fauna with the animal world of South America. However, there were differences.

Thus, by the beginning of the nineteenth century, based on the collected factual material, certain conclusions and generalizations on which Darwin's evolutionary theory was based were formulated. Provisions were made on the variability of species and on the unity in terms of the structure of all organisms, on natural groups, on the increase in similarity and change in forms, on the historical development of the earth's surface, and on the similarity of embryos belonging to systematically remote animal groups.

The evolutionary theory of Darwin became the largest generalization of the natural sciences of the nineteenth century. This teaching was prepared by the general course of development of scientific thought and socio-economic conditions.

It should be noted that before the advent of Darwinism, many scientists expressed ideas that were close to the provisions expressed in it. But, despite the constant development of natural science and the accumulation of facts that are contrary to metaphysical doctrine, the views of natural permanence continued to dominate. The teachings of Darwin's predecessors did not solve the basic questions. Thus, the possibility of the emergence from one species of a new species form has not been proved. The problem of the appropriateness and fitness of the new organic form to the surrounding conditions was not solved either. And, finally, the question of driving forces and development factors was opened.

Evolution, according to Darwin, solved the most important issues of the development of living nature from the point of view of natural historical materialism. Having exerted a tremendous influence on the development of all biological sciences, the teaching helped to strengthen the understanding of wildlife as a whole, applying a materialistic explanation to the phenomena of expediency. Darwin in his theory did not just apply practical data, but also critically revised his own conclusions, taking into account the achievements of agriculture and biology in general.