LBST 300

Dr. April Bullock

Study Questions for Darwin, The Origin of Species

Charles Darwin published The Origin of Species in 1859 after some 22 years of observation and study. Before the publication of this “abstract,” as he called it, Darwin’s theory was introduced to the scientific community by the geologist Sir Charles Lyell. Darwin’s theory was controversial, yet as he predicted in the selection you read it was less so with younger naturalists. Darwin’s theory is not synonymous with the “theory of evolution” today (there have been many modifications over the past 150 years), but the basic idea that species change and are transformed over time is now widely accepted.

·  What is Darwin trying to convince his readers to believe about his role in creating and promulgating the theory of evolution in the introduction to The Origin of Species?

·  What observations of the natural world led Darwin to the conclusion that species had evolved? What sets Darwin’s theory apart from the observations made by other naturalists?

·  What does Darwin mean by the “struggle for existence”? Natural selection?

·  What sorts of counter-arguments does Darwin anticipate? How does he answer them (at least within the limited scope of the introduction and the recapitulation and conclusion)?

·  How does Darwin address the argument that “missing links” must exist between species? What does this discussion tell you about the pace and nature of evolution in Darwin’s theory?

·  Based on your reading of Darwin, what is the relationship between geology and biology?

·  According to Darwin, what role do humans play in producing or promoting variation in domesticated species?

·  Do animals have a universal gender system (as Darwin seems to suggest)? Why or why not?

·  What is the difference between a species and a variety? Why is this important to Darwin’s argument?

·  How does natural selection work, according to Darwin (be as specific as possible)?

·  What, in Darwin’s view, is inexplicable in the theory of creation?

·  How does Darwin attempt to answer religious objections to his argument?

·  What effects does Darwin predict his work will have on natural history?

·  On page 131 Darwin states that “there is grandeur in this view of life.” What does he mean?