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... ions to the Theory of Natural Selection discuss problems that people may have about evolution. Many people have argued that although Darwin's theory includes many transitional species, none of these have been found on fossil record. Darwin's views on this issue are that the geological records are imperfect, as fossilization can only occur under certain conditions, often rare, in nature. For instance, no fossils of monkeys living in tropical rain forests have ever been found, for it is too wet in such climates for bones to be preserved. Darwin also talks about the geographical distribution of animals or traits around the world.
In the world of animals, evolution is affected heavily by barriers. If a barrier, such as a mountain range, were to exist between two groups of a single species, then the groups would not be able to breed together, and they would grow farther and farther apart, eventually becoming separate species. Darwin's The Origin of the Species was one of the most controversial books of the millennium, along with Galileo's Dialogue. It attracted many supporters, and in turn, many opponents. Darwin's foremost supporter, nicknamed Darwin's Bulldog, was Thomas Huxley. Huxley was known for his brutal attacks on religion using Darwin's theory, and the steadfastness by which he stood by them.
Huxley often gave lectures on the theory of evolution. His most famous debate over Darwin's theory was staged at Oxford, with Bishop Samuel Wilberforce as an opponent. Huxley and Wilberforce were said to have raged for hours, and at the end of the debate, Wilberforce turned to Huxley and asked if he was descended from a monkey on his grandmothers side or his grandfathers. Huxley replied that he would rather be the offspring of two apes than be a man and be afraid to face the truth. Other strong supporters of Darwin's theory were Charles Lyell and Ernst Haeckel. Haeckel, from Germany, was well known throughout the scientific world, and he corresponded regularly with Charles Darwin.
One of the most famous opponents of the theory of evolution was Richard Owen, the scientist who coined the word dinosaur. Owen specialized in anatomy and fossils and was a well known scientist. He did not believe in Darwin's theory of evolution, however. He claimed that a Divine idea was behind the similarities in different species.
Across the Atlantic in the United States, Asa Gray, a leading botanist of his era, began corresponding with Darwin a few years before the publication of the Origin. Gray was a very religious man and at first Darwin thought he would disapprove. Gray, however, found his faith not at all threatened by the theory of evolution. He sent suggestions to Darwin about his book, particularly on matters dealing with plants. Darwin came to trust Gray with all of his work and Gray, in return, gave suggestions and advice freely. While Gray spoke out in support of evolution, Louis Agassiz, a well-known scientist at Harvard, published numerous essays denouncing the theory of evolution.
Two British Prime Ministers, William Gladstone and Benjamin Disraeli, were also strong adversaries to evolution. They did everything they could to discourage the theory. Disraeli even coined the saying I am on the side of the angels when asked what he was descended from. Darwin's burial at Westminster Abbey was the only government favor he had received for many years. Controversy over The Origin of the Species had by no means died out by the time Darwin and his contemporaries died. Schools still taught creationism, the belief that God created all creatures, even though most scientists believed that Darwin's theory of evolution was correct.
In 1925, in Dayton, Tennessee, a substitute biology teacher named John Scopes was accused of teaching evolution. A trial ensued. Scopes defense attorney, Clarence Darrow dueled against the anti-evolutionist William Jennings Bryan, a three-time presidential candidate. Five thousand people turned up to watch the trial, and it had to be moved outside on grounds of the courtroom floor collapsing. Darrow and Bryan battled, and some of their comments caused uproar among the audience, judge and jury.
Eventually, John Scopes was fined $ 100, but the defendants were viewed as the winners. The case went to the Tennessee Supreme Court, but there it was dismissed. The case never determined whether teaching evolution was illegal or not. The case that did decide that was Epperson vs. Arkansas. A young woman named Susan Epperson was brought to trial for teaching evolution to her students in 1968.
The case was brought before the Supreme Court, where it was ruled that bans on teaching evolution were against the Establishment Clause of the Constitution, and therefore could not be enforced. In 1987, in the case Edwards vs. Aguillard, it was debated whether teachers in Louisiana needed to discuss creation science in addition to evolution. This case was also brought before the Supreme Court, and the Court used the same rational as in the Epperson case to strike down that law. Recently, in 1999, the Kansas School Board encouraged schools to place less attention on evolution by removing evolution from the standardized tests. The majority of the Kansas population was enraged, and during the next elections, they threw out many anti-evolutionists, restoring the old science standards.
However, in the 2004 elections, several new anti-evolutionists were elected, and talk began of introducing intelligent design into the school program. (Intelligent design is the belief that an intelligent being created life on earth. ) On November 10, 2005, a 6 - 4 majority voted that school districts had to teach doubts about the Darwinian theory, if not intelligent design itself. In contrast, though, on December 11, 2002, the Ohio School Board voted to put a stronger emphasis on the teaching of evolution in schools. The vote was to decide if intelligent design should be placed on the standardized tests. The result was no, 18 - 0. Even though intelligent design would not appear on the tests, however, local school districts were given the choice whether or not to teach the theory. Later, in Columbus, Ohio, on February 14, 2006, the Board of Education voted to drop the requirement that 10 th grade biology classes include critical analysis of evolution, dealing the intelligent design supporters a serious blow.
On November 9, 2004, six parents filed suit against an Atlanta school board when it tried to placate petitioners vying for intelligent design in school by putting stickers in textbooks. The stickers said that the material in the textbooks (evolution) was not accepted by all people, and that evolution was a theory, not a fact. It said that this material should be approached with an open mind, studied carefully and critically considered. A federal judge found the stickers violated the Establishment Clause and ordered the stickers be removed. In November, 2005, Dover, Pennsylvania made headlines across the nation. The law there stated that in each discussion of evolution, a statement about intelligent design had to be read first.
Eleven Dover parents, arguing that this law violated the Establishment Clause, filed suit. The trial lasted six weeks, at the end of which the presiding judge, John E. Jones, ruled that the law did violate the Establishment Clause, and was void. Jones concluded that intelligent design was not science, and therefore had no place in a science classroom. Darwin knew of the consequences he would suffer when he published The Origin of the Species. Centuries earlier, Galileo Galilee published Dialogue, and was imprisoned.
Copernicus had also undergone punishment. Still, Charles Darwin observed nature, collected evidence, and published his book. The scientific world was thrown into chaos. High-ranking church officials attempted to denounce Darwin. Prime Ministers were disgusted, and a few of Darwin's own friends turned on him.
Yet, with perseverance through this abuse, Darwin took a stand and has become one of the most famous men in history.
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Research essay sample on Theory Of Evolution One Of The Most Famous
