"In October 1838, that is, fifteen months after I had begun my systematic inquiry, I happened to read for amusement Malthus on Population, and being well prepared to appreciate the struggle for existence which everywhere goes on from long- continued observation of the habits of animals and plants, it at once struck me that under these circumstances favourable variations would tend to be preserved, and unfavourable ones to be destroyed. The results of this would be the formation of a new species. Here, then I had at last got a theory by which to work".Charles Darwin, from his autobiography. (1876)
(http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/history/malthus.html)
Thomas Malthus's was a British scholar as well as an ordained Minister of the Church of England in 1788 and is best remembered for his work on his "Essay on the Principal of Population (1789)"
In his essay, he suggested that both the human and animal populations grow by rapid multiplication and that there will always be more people and animals than the availability of food. Malthus also "believed that so-called "positive checks" (such as plagues and starvation) and "preventive checks" (such as birth control measures and delayed marriage), worked to keep population growth and food growth in balance." http://www.allaboutscience.org/malthus-faq.htm
Malthus opinion about surviving amongst each other inspired Darwin's Theory of Natural Selection - overproduction of offspring because during his time, the island in which he lived was extremely overpopulated and it was a struggle to survive; to eat. "Darwin noted that the population-food imbalance postulated by Malthus would lead to competition between offspring. He considered that some of those offspring would be better equipped for the struggle than others, and so would flourish. This "survival of the fittest" became the central theme to Darwin's developing theory."
Could Darwin have thought up the overpopulation of offspring on his own without Malthus influence? Maybe but Malthus definitely was a big influence on his theory especially after Darwin's five year voyage on the HMS Beagle and reading Maltus's "Essay on the Principal of Population."
I believe Darwin was a bit hesitant to proceed with his book due to the fact he was worried what the church might think of his opinions and findings - that he kept a lot of things to himself. However, on many occasions, he shared his thoughts with his brother, Darwin didn't want the church, in my opinion, to take his opinions to literally, hence perhaps ousting him in some way.
Darwin's wife, Emma was very religious and he often worried his marriage would end up in separation due to his opinions.
I believe Darwin was a bit hesitant to proceed with his book due to the fact he was worried what the church might think of his opinions and findings - that he kept a lot of things to himself. However, on many occasions, he shared his thoughts with his brother, Darwin didn't want the church, in my opinion, to take his opinions to literally, hence perhaps ousting him in some way.
Darwin's wife, Emma was very religious and he often worried his marriage would end up in separation due to his opinions.
Dear Jessica. Enjoyable article of yours but perhaps you approached question 5 from the wrong direction. How did the attitude of the church affect Darwin's decision to publish his book?
ReplyDeleteThe only denunciation of his work came not from the Church of England but rather from a renegade religious apologist, Wilberforce, The Bishop of Oxford who found it offensive to postulate a continuity between humans and their animal ancestors. Accepting his reaction as fully typical of the religious response is common mistake.
Another example is Frederick Temple who, in 1860, preached a sermon in Oxford in which he welcomed the expansion of scientific explanation. He lash out at those who tried to make theological capital out of phenomena that the sciences could not yet explain. It was an early recognition of the dangers for religious apologists whose pronouncements would forever shrink as the sciences advanced. Temple found in Darwin’s theory a unification of nature and a licence to believe that life on Earth had been progressive and not directionless. In fact, Temple became Archbishop of Canterbury in the 1880 symbolizing the acceptance of Darwin’s achievement by the English Church.
Unfortunately for me, I neglected to include these observation in my blog.
Hi Jessica,
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed reading your post. I would have to agree with stringcatt about your answer to question 5. I do not think that Darwin was afraid of publishing his work but rather I think that he was open to the idea of showing what he felt was true based on his research. Interesting choice of person as well. It was interesting to find out about Mathus and how he was one involved in the church. Yet he was stating theories and suggestion that I think many of the church would have argued against him.
Excellent! And the quote was perfect for demonstrating the influence of Malthus and his work on Darwin.
ReplyDeleteI agree that it is possible that Darwin might have come to this theory without Malthus, but this ideas was so key to his theory of natural selection that I really think it would have been unlikely. Malthus, along with Lyell, are two of the most influential thinkers to Darwin and his work.
@stringcatt and Corrina,
ReplyDeleteNo, Jessica is correct. Darwin was terrified of the repercussions of publishing his work from two fronts:
First, he was afraid of how his family might be affected in terms of the response of religious family and friends.
Second, his wife, Emma, was devoutly religious and he was worried about offending her with his work and it's religious implications. Jessica was correct in her thoughts on this matter.
Malthus was such an influential person, even today, and was such ahead of his time. I marvel at his observations. I can see why he had such an impact on Darwin. I appreciate the quote from Darwin's autobiography, as it drives home the point about how much Malthus influenced him.
ReplyDeleteExcellent post!
From: Tree Hugger
@ Laurie The question was how did the church (you carelessly omitted the Vatican) influenced his work. Your two examples only mention how his family influenced it. I have supplied fact, you relied on fantasy. You of all people should have recognized this. Ummmmmmmmm?
ReplyDelete@ Laurie The fact of the matter is "what influence did the church have.." Darwin's works were published. Use the scientific method approach to your question before making a comment that does not support your question.
ReplyDelete@stringcatt, please review Chapter 2 in your textbook.
ReplyDelete