Question

What have been some of the positive and negative effects of the book Origin of Species?

Answer 1

Origin of species: by Charles Darwin (publication- 24^th November 1859)

• The book “Origin of species” first proposed the scientific theory of evolution and natural selection.
• It introduced the concept that populations evolved over a course of generation through the process of natural selection.
• Controversies were created due to different beliefs regarding theories of life and also some religious aspects and beliefs.
• The 4 major theories included:

1. Transmutation theory- establishment of new types or new species through a single mutation or saltation.

2. Orthogenesis- intrinsic teleological tendencies led to transformation.

3. Lamarckian evolution theory- inheritance of acquired characters.

4. Darwin theory- variational evolution through natural selection.

Positive effects:

• Explanation regarding how species adapted to environment, to have a better chance for survival.
• Natural selection was accepted as basic theory of evolution.
• The concept of inheritance of the adaptation, as parents of an organisms passed their adaptations to the offspring.
• Concept that: If an organism can adapt, it will affect its lifespan and longevity, as well as ability to reproduce.
• Concept of survival of the fittest evolved.
• Darwin’s theory application to genetics (first concepted by Thaddeus Dobzhansky), regarding explanation how two sets of DNAs became one and traits passed to generations.
• Application in field of geology, botany, agriculture, habitat preservation, endangered species, paleontology, comparative anatomy and medicine.
• Recent theories termed as "Darwin's medicine", regarding atibiotic resistance.
• Relating HIV to natuaral selection and process to controll several such diseases.

Negative effects:

• Corruption regarding Darwin’s theory evolved, giving new terms in the society as “Social Darwinism” and misuse of term “survival of the fittest”.
• Wrong beliefs of social Darwinists, regarding the superiority of rich capitalists.
• Creation of discrimination due to dominance by physically, socially, and politically powerful people. Resulting in discrimination and ignorance of poor, immigrants, physically or mentally challenged people.
• Darwinism as justification for racism, capitalism and imperialism.
• Adolf Hitler and his Nazi party, adopting Darwin’s theory as an excuse to dominate and of mingle with the inferior groups of society. This resulted in mass execution of inferior considered people, like disabled, homosexuals, Jewish, gypsies etc.
• Beliefs about eugenics and superior or selective breeding.