Darwin Revelation

Throughout the semester we have discussed the many theories of Darwin and his thoughts on the human race. We have taken these ideas and applied them to our everyday lives and how they compare to what we have to come to know based on research that has been done over the years. We have learned that Darwin's thoughts were revolutionary and the first of that kind.
One specific theory Darwin developed was Natural Selection in which he believed the strongest survive and the weak don't and that is how nature naturally selected what species would survive. Darwin believed those who survived and adapted to changes were the ones that were meant to live and if they didn't it meant they were meant to die off. Darwin states, "The key is man's power of accumulative selection: nature gives successive variations; man adds them up in certain directions useful to him. In this sense he may be said to make for himself useful breeds (Appleman, 104). His theory is based on the idea of the adjustments to changes specific to different species. It is about those species being able to adapt to the changes nature has made and evolve based on their adaptation. Those who are unable to adapt to these changes are not meant to continue on.
I felt this theory developed by Darwin is not only interesting but also important because it relates to our past as well as our future as a society. Natural selection has been occurring since the beginning of time. The species we currently have on earth today are, according to Darwin's theory, meant to be here and were the strongest of their time. We can look back and see how many different species were on the earth thousands of years ago and if natural selection is in fact the case then there is a reason some of them are no longer here and it was meant for them to become extinct. Darwin explains, "Every slight modification, which in the course of ages chanced to arise, and which in any way favoured the individuals of any of the species, by better adapting them to their altered conditions, would tend to be preserved; and natural selection would thus have free scope for the work of improvement" (Appleman, 112). He is stating that natural selection works in such a way that if a species is able to adapt to the naturally occurring changes in their living conditions they are strong enough to survive.
Our environment and society has been dealing with a lot of changes lately, some being man-made but never the less inevitable. A lot of our concern relates to the problem of global warming and what is going to happen because of it. This makes me think back to Darwin and especially this theory of Natural Selection. It opens up a lot of questions in my mind and has made me realize that this could be happening to the human race. If global warming is going to affect us so much, what changes will occur when it gets to be too much. Right now such small changes are happening on the planet and if something is not done about it, I wonder what will become of humans and our world. Will the strongest people out of the entire human race be the only ones to survive, or will we all have to adapt in such a way that we are no longer humans and a different breed completely? The Natural Academy of Sciences explains Darwin's theory, "Drought diminishes supplies of easily cracked nuts but permits the survival of plants that produce larger, tougher nuts" (Appleman, 292). I feel this relates to the future of the human race by opening the question will global warming just change certain aspects about humans? I wonder if we will become extinct all together because our race is not strong enough to survive.
Darwin's ideas have brought up a lot of controversy but to some it is a realization and an explanation as to what is happening in the world. I have been taught Darwin's theories in the past but only a basic level. After going into such detail about Darwin's theories it has definitely opened my mind a lot more to what is going on in the world. It has made me realize I need to pay closer attention to what is happening and what could happen. Natural selection has caught my attention and has made me think a lot about where we come from and how the human race has survived for so long, as well as making me wonder if the same will happen in the future.



I chose this video because it is a stimulation of natural selection and evolution. I felt it was a great way to show how natural selection works and it gives detailed information but is basic enough for everyone to understand. A lot of what is talked about in "Darwin" is hard to understand based on the language used and how scientific the explanations are. This video breaks down the information and uses a computer to stimulate the process giving you a great visual.

works cited

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCXzcPNsqGA&feature=related

Appleman, Philip, ed. Darwin. New York: Norton & Company, 2001. 111-15.

Darwin Revelation

Casey Norton
Cyndi Brandenburg
Scientific Revolutions
12/13/08


Darwin Revelation


A topic that is prevalent within American culture since its beginnings is the idea of the American Dream. This topic is something that has intrigued me since highschool after learning about American history and society. It was also prevalent in many texts and movies that were shown to me through my youth. Through many of these novels, there was an idea of the impossibility of this dream and its emptiness. Along with the idea, that the dream becomes emptier each day because currently in American society, people want to acquire wealth. One of the examples that was shown to me in highschool was within the movie American Beauty featuring Kevin Spacey as Lester Burnham. He lacks happiness because he believes he is average and cannot amount to what society wants of him. This movie exemplifies the struggle of the individual to conform within American society.
This study of the American Dream continues to follow me as I continue to examine my own life and what I am learning currently. Throughout this semester of Scientific Revolutions, Darwinian thought and influence is something that raised many questions in my mind. When I look at Darwin and his many ideas, I look at them through how they have affected society today.
Charles Darwin’s belief of Natural Selection was based off the idea that there were favorable variations. Within these variations, come better variations to deal with external problems. According to Darwin in his book The Origin of Species, “Throughout the world, every variation, even the slightest; rejecting that which is bad, preserving and adding up all that is good” (113). In this Darwin describes the idea that the strongest will remain while the weaker are rejected. With the idea of Natural Selection, people could be lead to believe that the poor in American society were just a weaker being. In this case, the poor would remain poor while the rich got richer and did not feel guilt for not helping.
This idea follows one that is discussed in The Bell Curve by Richard J. Hernstein and Charles Murray. This book is along with the ideas of Herbert Spencer are viewed in an article by Rutledge M. Dennis called “Social Darwinism, Scientific Racism, and the Metaphysics of Race”. The article uses both examples to show the racism within science. Each idea allows for an inferior variation or race. Within written proof that there is an inferior race or being, it allows for people to continue suppression of a certain class or race.
In its beginnings, the American Dream was open to all that chose to come to America and flourish. Now, the dream is almost an impossible goal to reach. This idea is one that is recognized as one that even now people continue to strive for. Comedian, George Carlin explains the way people attempt to live their day to day lives.

He commentates on the emptiness of the dream and what it has become.

Appleman, Philip, ed. Darwin. New York: Norton & Company, 2001. 111-15.

Dennis, Rutledge M. "Social Darwinism, Scientific Racism, and the Metaphysics of Race." The Journal of Negro Education (1995): 1-4.

Darwin Revelation

Throughout this entire semester in Scientific Revolutions, we have been discussing the affects of Darwin on the history of our world in its entirety and science in general. Darwin has given me a new outlook upon both science and society. In relation to my time line about war, Darwin’s outlook upon science and his knowledge of society comes into play by allowing me to apply his ideas and thoughts to my own project. Darwin’s theory of evolution has permeated our word since the beginning, and will continue to do so. If Darwin was not around to create this theory, I wouldn’t have any information to support my time line. I wouldn’t be able to explain why guns exist, how telescope technology is used on guns, how we conduct ourselves as a society, and how the cause and effects of war have altered over time. My personal revelation is my understanding of the vital importance of Darwin’s theory’s that have shaped our country into what it stands for today.

According to Philip Appleman, “Science is a particular way of knowing about the world. In science, explanations are limited to those based on observations and experiments that can be substantiated by other scientists. Explanations that cannot be based on empirical evidence are not a part of science” (Appleman, 289). This statement helps portray my revelation in the light of Darwin because it expresses the nature of science and how is must be supported. Evolution is an example of science that would apply to this previous statement. Referring back to my time line, evolution has a lot to do with war because of how technology in weapons have evolved, reasoning’s for war, protection, and tactics. An example of evolution in my time line is art; Picasso’s Guernica is a very abstract painting which was not always seen as art. Aesthetics and art have been evolving since the beginning of time, getting more and more abstract and modern. Speaking of aesthetics, art is not the only war related subject that has changed through time. Music is another example, expressed as the 1812 Overture in my time line. Music has not always been like the Overture, and obviously has evolved much since then, hence today’s popular musical artists and genres. One doesn’t hear music much from the 1930’s in today’s time, and I’m sure in 2099 they won’t be listening to music from 2008. This example relates to art, music, and science because of technology improving every day.

Science and aesthetics still come back into play even when basing my personal revelation upon Darwin’s theory’s and relating them to my time line of war. Appleman states, “Scientific knowledge may enrich aesthetic and moral perceptions, but these subjects extend beyond science’s realm, which is to obtain a better understanding of the natural world” (Appleman, 300). Basically this statement means that even though scientific knowledge is the basis upon life and is backed with scientific proof, aesthetics and the moral outcomes are the determinants. Any information is somewhat bland; however, once it is aesthetically portrayed to the public determines the way in which it’s meant to be taken, its importance, impact, and possible beauty. Aesthetics overpowers science by being able to contort how society reacts to its scientific outcomes. My personal revelation is very important to me and I feel is very important to others too because most do not have knowledge of Darwin. I’ am amazed of how much Darwin has impacted my thinking throughout this semester, and I feel that everyone else in the class feels the same way.

I chose this video because it relates to my discussion of evolution in the promoters and outcomes of war, and how science must be proved with credible evidence. This video displays evidence for evolution and how it plays a role in our world in the past, present, and future. I found this to be the most relevant video clip coinciding with my theme. Our course readings are also another possible source for information.

Work Cited

Appleman, Philip. Darwin. “Darwin and the Shaping of Modern Science.” (289). New York: Newton & Company, Inc, 2001.

Appleman, Philip. Darwin. “Darwin and the Shaping of Modern Science.” (300). New York: Newton & Company, Inc, 2001.

Darwin Revelation

When constructing my annotated timeline I decided to go with the theme of war. While I was looking up different events, I came across a revelation. One that I had not thought about before, which was war among one's self. I never thought about a self-conflict as a war but when looking at the definition of what war was it was a conflict, or a struggle, this could possibly mean that someone could have a war with themselves.

When someone has an internal struggle they are fighting two sides of themselves.This links to Darwin's theory of evolution, in evolving personalities. It is an evolution because in an internal struggle the stronger side of the personality will win the battle causing the weaker side to become nonexistent. When the stronger side wins this changes the way person acts, and perceives themselves, causing an evolution. It is an evolution because the person is forming into someone new. For example in the video below Gollums stronger side Smeagle took over Gollum's and eliminated him. This caused him to be a new character.

As Steve Pinker said in his segment of How the Mind Works, "behavior is the outcome of an internal struggle among many mental modules, and it is played out on the chessboard of opportunities and constraints defined by other people's behavior" (Appleman 469). By this quote, he means that everyone is confronted by internal struggles, which could create different kinds of behaviors whether it is sad, angry, or even acting distant towards others. Sometimes these behaviors could be judged by other people, mainly because other people could react differently over the same situation.




This video is of Gollum from the Lord of the Rings. It was the scene when Gollum was sitting by himself and fighting with his other half of his personality Smeagle. He was confronting himself by calling himself a liar, a murderer, and other hateful things about himself. He was basically turning into two different characters one side being Smeagle who was the good side, and then there was Gollum who tried to make himself sound like a bad person. This was the side that wanted to steal the necklace from Frodo. In the end his stronger personality Smeagle won the battle, and Gollum was officially gone. The video shows an internal conflict among a person.

Appleman, Philip, ed. Darwin. 3rd ed. New York: W.W. Norton, 2001. 469

Darwin Revelation

This semester we have been studying Darwin and his different ideas and theories. We have discussed and made our own theories about what he has said and what we have studied. I personally think one of the most interesting theories is the one about what parents and children have in common on the basis of traits and what we pass on. "Darwinism is a scientific theory about the origin of biological species from per-existent species." (Appleman 9)
We have all heard about how parents and children usually end up having a great deal of things in common. I think it is interesting to try and understand if these different traits come from genetics, or simply what we learn over time. There have been countless media examples of the common saying "like father like son" or "like mother like daughter". I thought an interesting one was from a 1967 PSA:


I think that this concept of a parent influencing a child is something that is present all the time. I think that it is really hard to say whether or not we are products of our parents based on what they pass genetically to us, or what they teach us as we are growing up. All of these are questions that were present in last years classes, this semester's classes, and I'm sure will come up many times in the future.

Works Cited:
Appleman, Philip, ed. Darwin. 3rd ed. New York: W.W.Norton, 2001.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmzDLzqQ-A0

Darwin Revelation

Charles Darwin developed the theory that all life is related and has descended from a common ancestor, the Theory of evolution. After reading different selections from Philip Appleman’s “Darwin” I began to develop my own ideas regarding human nature. By studying Darwin’s theory and the mass amounts of criticism that he received for it, I began to further think about human curiosity to know how the world began. After wrapping my head around this concept for a while, it led me to the idea that humans want one clear explanation to how the world was created. That it is difficult to except that there may be numerous answers to fundamental questions instead of everyone settling on just one. In our society especially humans want a single answer, even though the answer one wants may vary. This theme has been prevalent throughout the course. Multiple times the discussion has come up if Religion is fading out and Science taking its place, debate has thrived over this topic. It is difficult for humans to not know everything, and face that there are multiple explanations for the fundamental question of “how humans came to be?” The debate over this question has created both growth and destruction. Growth has occurred because humans have made multiple discoveries trying to answer these complex questions. Destruction because there have been numerous wars across the world due to differences in opinion regarding this question.
Darwin theory of evolution, and the reaction that it received, has only emphasized the idea of human nature for the need of only one answer. Frans De Waal selection on “Good Natured: The Origin of Right and Wrong in Humans and Other Animals”, discusses this phenomenon. De Wall states, Even if animals other than ourselves act in a way tantamount to moral behavior, their behavior does not necessarily rest on the deliberations of the kind we engage in. It is hard to believe animals weigh their own interests against the right of others, they develop a vision of the greater good of society, or that they feel lifelong guilt about something they should not have done.” (Appleman 515) De Waal then continues to discuss the nature of human consensus. The idea that it is the nature of animals to look out for the good of the community as a whole instead of ones personal interest has been tested by humans. Humans in the past have chosen to be destructive towards one another instead of accepting various beliefs. Does human desire to be correct put a damper on the human species?
Although personally I believe in evolution based on information gathered from numerous experiments and studies, I think it is unrealistic that our world can thrive as a whole if one cannot except other perspectives. This notion of putting different theologies up against one another was discussed in the article “How to Teach Science to the Pope” by Michael Mason. Throughout this article the debate of science vs. religion is prominent, with the conclusion that science cannot fully explain religion in the same way that religion cannot fully explain religion and the world is to complex to understand it all.
Darwin has developed a theory of “how humans came to be” that is the most probable and has much scientific proof to back it up, but still some people do not agree. This has lead me to believe that when it comes down to it is not worth fighting over what is “right” but excepting that no matter what, opinions will always vary. By continuously fighting over different theories regarding complex question humans may most likely never fully answer it is only holding us back instead of allowing us to move forward and work together as a whole. Therefore my Darwin Revelation is rather indirect and broad, but my studies of Darwin and the reactions of his discoveries have made me realize that even with all the proof in the world humans will always have different opinions, it is human nature.



I chose this video because it portrays the theme of self destruction of our own species. As mentioned in the post the idea that humans desire to be right is putting a damper on the human species as a whole. This video is a rather humorous depiction of how fighting with one another eventually will lead to the destruction of humans and possibly our earth.

Work Cited:
Birdman12078. "End of Ze World." Youtube. 14 Dec. 2008. Http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZMwKPmsbWE.

Appleman, Philip, ed. Darwin. 3rd ed. New York: W.W.Norton, 2001.

Mason, Michael. "How to Teach Science to the Pope." Discover Magazine. August 18, 2008. http://discovermagazine.com/2008/sep/18-how-to-teach-science-to-the-pope

Course Readings

Darwin Revelation

Darwin Revelation

 

            The world of business has dramatically evolved over time from what it used to be. People for centuries all over the world have been engaging in business transactions to better themselves and others. “The intellectual revolution generated by Darwin went far beyond the confines of biology, causing the overthrow of some of the most basic beliefs of his age. For example, Darwin refuted the belief in the individual creation of each species, establishing in its place the concept that all of life descended from a common ancestor” (Appleman, 23).  Darwin believed that everyone came from one single common ancestor much like the world of business. The basic definition of business is an exchange of goods or services for something of value. Back in times like the renaissance era artists would create pieces or art and then sell them. This is a perfect example of the earliest most simple for of business. The artist gets money or something of value in exchange for one of their paintings; both parties are better off after the exchange. All Business's have evolved from this simple form to large corporations that you see dominate today’s economy.

            When sitting down to write this blog post I had a revelation that the evolution in business is directly related to technology and the advancements of it. As time went on and new technologies were discovered businesses were able to evolve into a new and improved form. An example of this would be the invention of the printing press, with this technology businesses were able to print out and distribute information about their store and location. This allowed business to reach a larger customer base by having the name of their store spread throughout the area. During the industrial revolution the next pieces of technology were introduced, these would again change and evolve the business world. Steam power changed was the biggest factor for the evolution of business in this time period. Having steam power allowed business to transport their merchandise must faster and at more cost efficient. Businesses now are able to ship their goods to a customer who is far away once again reaching even more potential customers. With business able to attract more customers they are able to generate more income and grow. Businesses have gone from single store fronts to now multiple stores all over the country with each store front attracting a wide array of customers.

Darwin’s theory of natural selection applies to business as well as science, Darwin said “As many more individuals of each species are born than can possibly survive; and as, consequently, there is a frequently recurring struggle for existence, it follows that any being, if it vary however slightly in any manner profitable for itself, under the complex and sometimes varying conditions of life, will have a better chance of surviving, and thus be naturally selected.” (Appleman 97) This quote explains how natural selection, and how if you are better than the competition you will survive. In the business world if you can’t offer a superior product than your competition than you will not survive.     

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1A9lYC3g-0  

This video connects to the evolution of business because it is about an important invention that has completely revolutionized the world we live in today. In 1991 the company Cern invented the internet. The video talks about how the internet can connect people all over the world in a matter of seconds. This technology allowed the business world to move to the next evolutionary stage in its life, e-commerce. E-commerce is business that is conducted over the internet; the customer doesn’t ever have to leave their seat to purchase practically anything they want. The internet is just one example of how technology has helped the business world evolve. 

Works Cited:

Appleman, Philip. Darwin. 3rd. New York: Norton, 2001.

The Amazing Internet[video]. Received Dec 13 2008. From 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1A9lYC3g-0