- Thomas Malthus was a very influential person in the scientific world for many reasons, but he is the most well known for his theory of population growth. Malthus had predicted that the human race would begin to populate so quickly that the production of resources would surely not be able to keep up. Malthus had advised putting population control into effect or else there would be dire consequences such as disease, famine, and war or other wise known as Malthusian catastrophes. https://www.boundless.com/sociology/textbooks/boundless-sociology-textbook/population-and-urbanization-17/population-growth-122/malthus-theory-of-population-growth-689-9631/
- If there was one point that Darwin made that was directly affected by Malthus it would have to be that individuals themselves do not evolve, populations do. Darwin was able to build off of Malthus’ theory of population to make his own predictions on how, when, and why evolution occurs. Because of Malthus’ prediction that population would outgrow resources causing states of famine making it so that only organisms with strong traits would survive ensuring the development of better traits in the next generation. Essentially individuals can not evolve they can only survive or die, making it so that over time certain traits will die out while others will live on.
- If there was one point that Darwin made that was directly affected by Malthus it would have to be that individuals themselves do not evolve, populations do. Darwin was able to build off of Malthus’ theory of population to make his own predictions on how, when, and why evolution occurs. Because of Malthus’ prediction that population would outgrow resources causing states of famine making it so that only organisms with strong traits would survive ensuring the development of better traits in the next generation. Essentially individuals can not evolve they can only survive or die, making it so that over time certain traits will die out while others will live on.
- The Church strongly affected Darwin and his decision to publish his theory because, in the 19th Century the church had a lot more power than it does now. Darwin’s theory went against everything the churched believed in when it came to the idea that God created the universe which angered the church. Darwin became discouraged about publishing his theory because he knew it would cause religious controversy.
Thursday, February 9, 2017
Historical Influence
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Hi Kelsey!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your post! I appreciate how organized it is and how clear you discussed about Thomas Malthus. Because of your post, I understand more on what Thomas Malthus did and on how he influenced Darwin. I absolutely agree that Thomas Malthus was a big influence in Darwin's work and I also think that without the influence of Malthus, Darwin's work wouldn't be as it is.
Good source.
ReplyDeleteFor the first section, what were the basic mathematical principles that provided the logical foundation for Malthus' work? What led to the problem of overpopulation in humans? This is important to help your reader make the connection between Malthus' and Darwin's work. That was really Darwin's starting place.
With regard to your bullet points, Malthus had no direct influence on the actual concept of evolution. He was opposed to the idea that humans (and anything at all) actually evolved. Malthus' points are mathematically related, namely the concept that populations have potential of growing exponentially and that resources are limited (because they can only grow arithmetically).
Your third section is a repeat of the second. Missing the discussion on whether Darwin could have developed his theory without Malthus?
Good last section, but expand a bit. What, specifically, were Darwin's concerns? What repercussions might he and his family experience if the church responded negatively to Darwin's work? Was it really just "controversy" that worried him or perhaps the less ephemeral impact on his professional career and the lives of his wife (who was quite devout) and his children?