Transcript Surprising truths about Charles Darwin

Surprising truths about
Charles Darwin
Lifeline
Born 1809
 College (Edinburgh and Cambridge)
1825-1831
 Beagle Voyage 1831-36
 Retired to Down 1842
 The Origin of Species
1859
 Died 1882
Darwin’s home at Down, near London
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Darwin’s achievements
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Transformed biological science
 Both style and content
 Still the cornerstone of biology
 Now the cutting edge of psychology
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Transformed attitudes of humanity to
our place in the universe
Not just an evolutionist
Not even a biologist to start with
 Collected beetles for fun
 Studied geology more seriously
 Considered himself a geologist
throughout the Beagle voyage and for
some time after
 Famous for working out how coral
atolls are formed
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His books (not just on evolution)
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Beagle voyage
Coral reefs
Volcanic islands
Geology of South
America
Barnacles
Species
Man
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Emotions
Climbing plants
Domestication
Cross and self
fertilisation
Orchids
Worms
Autobiography
Contribution to style of science
Pre-Darwin, science was done in
homage to God
 Was primarily descriptive
 Deduction and theorising was
disparaged as “speculation”
 Darwin used detailed observation to
explore much larger questions - helped
change scientific methods
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Natural selection
Developed theory in complete isolation
 In face of violent opposition
 With no knowledge of genetics
 With no knowledge of DNA
 With no knowledge of plate tectonics
 With no observations of natural
selection actually occurring
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Not first to propose evolution
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French tradition
 Jean-Baptiste Lamark
 Etienne Geoffroy St Hilaire
Erasmus Darwin (Grandfather)
 Robert Grant (Mentor)
 Was expounded in a popular book
(“Vestiges”) 15 years before “Origin”
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Darwin was mis-credited
Died famous for evolution (which was
not his idea)
 Natural selection not widely accepted,
even among his supporters
 Darwin remained convinced
 Only 40-50 years later did scientists
appreciate his foresight.
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The Beagle
Only 90 foot long, but carrying 74 people.
Joining the Beagle Voyage
Not paid for 5 years on Beagle.
 Actually, he had to pay!
 Was lucky to get on
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 replaced someone who was
shot in a duel
 his father opposed him going
Mainly asked because of his class, to
keep Captain Fitzroy company
 It was the making of him
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Galapagos, 1835
Portrayed as a “Eureka” experience.
 Did not recognize significance until
back in England, 1837.
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 Worked out theory much later.
 First inkling of natural selection in 1838.
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Turtles & finches were key evidence
 On boat home, ate turtles, dumped shells
 Thought finches different species; didn’t
even label them properly
The Big Idea:
Natural Selection
Darwin’s sand walk at Down:
He knew about fossils
a daily thoughtful stroll
 Collected many for extinct animals
 Knew about Llyell’s theory of
“evolution” of geology
 Read Malthus (an economist) on
population and competition for
resources.
 His ideas developed steadily over 20
years!!!!
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Slow to publish: Why so long?
Anguish
 Illness
 Slow development of ideas
 Collection of a wealth of evidence
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Anguish
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Social class
 Respectability
 Evolution subversive - against his class
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Religous considerations
 especially worried about hurting wife
Emma who grieved for his soul
Scientific prejudice against
“speculation”
 “Like confessing a murder.”
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Illness
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Problems throughout life
 violent shivering, vomiting, exhaustion,
palpitations, hands trembling, head
swimming, sleeplessness, headaches,
flatulence, stomach problems, ringing of
ears, fainting, copious pallid urine
In 1841 could work “an hour or two a
couple of days a week.”
 Chaga’s disease? Just nervous?
Poisoning himself with medecine?
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Slow to publish: Why so long?
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Detailed analysis, collection of a
wealth of evidence
 pigeons
 barnacles
Barnacles
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Started out as a brief study.
 Took 8 years (from 1848).
 Huge 2 volume treatise overhauling entire
sub-class.
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Dominated his kids lives
 One of his kids asked a friend, “Where
does your dad do his barnacles?”
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Established him as a biological
specialist, not just a geologist
 Royal Society Medal
Wealth
Father a wealthy doctor
 Reduced his enthusiasm to get a job as
a doctor or clergyman
 Wealth bought time and resources
 Made money from investments (land
and railway stocks), not from books!!!
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Religious conflict
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Samuel Wilberforce vs T.H.Huxley
Years
“Was
it from
Wilberforce
yourdid
mother’s
fell
off “If the
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question
once reality
is whether
and his
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Darwin
to
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 ape?”
Many religious leaders
from an
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andliteralist
influence who
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introduce
 Science served religion,
itstofindings
ridicule intoof
a grave
were taken as revelations
God’sscientific
plan
discussion, I unhesitatingly
 Buried in Westminster
Abbey
affirm my
preference for the
 The Times: “Theape!”
Abbey needed Darwin
more than Darwin needed the Abbey.”
The End!
Now you know a LOT about the life of
Charles Darwin!!
Congratulations!!!!