Jean Baptiste Lamarck and his Influence over Charles Darwin Theory of Natural Selection
Despite the fact that Charles Darwin had numerous influences for his Theory of Natural Selection, I believe that the works of Jean Baptiste Lamarck played a larger role. Jean Baptiste Lamarck was one of the first to use the term "invertebrate" and was one of the first to think that humans evolved from a lower species, he believed that all living things were built from the most simple of things. He was also the first of his time to suggest a relationship between species and their environment, he proposed that if the external environment changed, that an animal's patterns would also change to accommodate the changing circumstances. His theory is known as the Inheritance of acquired characteristics, and although his theory has been proven to be genetically incorrect, according to http://evolution.about.com/od/scientists/p/Jean-Baptiste-Lamarck.htm he was one of the first scientists to discover and publish the idea that adaptation helped species to better survive different environments.
Lamarck's ideas that environmental changes directly affect what traits will stay or become different was very important in Darwin's study of adaptation. His ideas also led to Darwin's discovery, that natural selection acts on random variation. I do not believe that Darwin could have developed his Theory of Natural Selection without Jean Baptiste Lamarck. Lamarck's ideas and failures when it came to animal patterns and the external environment's effects on the animals helped polish Darwin's ideas of adaptation which were vital in understanding why certain species die out or increase in population, based on vast environmental differences within the same subset of species.
The delayed publication of Charles Darwin's famous "Origin of Species" was due in a large part to the fanaticism that plagued the church. Darwin's studies of Evolution, while not forbidden by the church, was frowned upon for directly challenging the opinions and logic of the church. Challenging the status quo could lead to him being ostracized by his family and friends or worse. Darwin being of a wealthy prominent family and good social standing was hesitant to publicly challenge the opinion of the church with his controversial study. It is probable that the only reason Darwin even published his book was because Alfred Russell Wallace, the Scottish naturalist whose findings on The Evolutionary process greatly mirrored Darwin's, had begun to publish his findings, and Darwin was afraid that Wallace would be credited with for findings Darwin had discovered long before.
"He was also the first of his time to suggest a relationship between species and their environment, he proposed that if the external environment changed, that an animal's patterns would also change to accommodate the changing circumstances."
ReplyDeletePerfect. Great explanation as to the significance of Lamarck's influence on evolutionary theory.
I agree that some of Lamarck's greatest contribution to Darwin was in his errors, but can you explain that more fully? What were the differences between Lamarck's mechanism and Darwin's? What did Lamarck get wrong that Darwin corrected?
While I agree that Lamarck did influence Darwin, I would be cautious about giving him so much credit over Darwin's work. While Lamarck was the first to present a mechanism of evolution, many scientists were exploring this concept of evolution, including Darwin's own grandfather Erasmus. To suggest that Darwin would not have developed his theory without Lamarck's work is placing more importance on Lamarck then he perhaps deserves. Darwin's exposure to Lamarck's work was in his early college days. He had years of other influences that helped guide him toward his final work.
Great discussion on the influences of the church, though I would hesitate labeling it as "fanaticism". It was actually greatly toned down from the days of Galileo but could still make a scientist pause when considering challenging ideas contradicting the teachings of the church.
I think the ideas the Lamarck brings to Darwin's theory of natural selection are very important. I thought it was a good point to bring in that Lamarck's errors also helped Darwin's theory because Darwin could perfect his errors then place them in his own theory. I do think that the church slowed his publishing of his book but Darwin didn't want to let Wallace take the credit.
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