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Studying at Edinburgh University
At the age of 16 years old, Darwin found himself attending a prestigious university to study science and medicine, following the footsteps of his father and grandfather. This is where he learned, "how to classify plants by the modern “natural system” (Desmond). This led into his curiosity of the evolution of plants as times have changed throughout the years. He found interest in shooting game prior to going to college and that's why his father felt the need to send him off to school, because he -
Studying at Edinburgh (pt 2)
felt as if he was going nowhere in life. Little did his father know that Charles would eventually become one of the most iconic and influential scientists as well as philosopher with astounding discoveries and theories proven correctly. Desmond, Adrian. "Charles Darwin". Britannica, August 17, 2023
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Charles-Darwin -
The Beagle Voyage
The Beagle voyage set sail 12/27/1831 to South America, for the next 5 years Darwin would be collecting research on animals and plants in a place he's never been. This is where he noticed, "That the unique creatures were similar from island to island, but perfectly adapted to their environments" (Who is Charles Darwin). This led to his theories on different colors and sizes of these same animals having to survive because of these changes.
"Who is Charles Darwin?". Galapagos Travel Center -
The Beagle Voyage
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Publication of: Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection
After his voyage to South America, Darwin was stuck with finding out why these animals were the same species but so different. He concluded, "Species change through natural selection, or - to use Wallace's phrase - through 'the survival of the fittest' in a given environment" Darwin Published on). This helped science look further into why 2 of the same species, can mate together to create a different type of the same species. Darwin was motivated to look further into why certain animals became, -
Publication of: Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection
had become extinct.
"1859: Darwin Published On the Origin of Species, Proposing Continual Evolution of Species". National Human Genome Research Institute.
https://www.genome.gov/25520157/online-education-kit-1859-darwin-published-on-the-origin-of-species-proposing-continual-evolution-of-species -
Social Darwinism
The idea of Social Darwinism, "the theory that human groups and races are subject to the same laws of natural selection as Charles Darwin perceived in plants and animals in nature," (Social Darwinism). This played a massive role in society with people thinking the world is protecting the weak, as nature should do it's thing with humans as well. This idea stemmed from Darwin's theories of adapting to the environment to survive, this can correlate with humans in the sense of money, strength, -
Social Darwinism (pt 2)
sickness, and being able to handle the environmental surroundings. Darwin paved the way for these theories and suggestions to be created to see how humans really feel about themselves, this quickly turned into politics to use as leverage for a vote from the people.
"Social Darwinism". Britannica, August 4, 2023.
https://www.britannica.com/topic/social-Darwinism -
Charles Darwin Youtube Video