On the Origin of Species

How does the struggle for life between organisms lead to important checks on the propagation of various species? Why does Darwin emphasize the relationship between organisms as the most important of all influences in the process of natural selection? Why doesn’t he consider physical climate, for instance, as holding the same importance?

Darwin doesn’t believe an essential/fundamental distinction exists between species and varieties. Why? How does this definitional re-estimation of fundamental categories of biological inquiry implicate his dismissal of independent creation theory?

Darwin consistently advances his theory by addressing every “grave” challenge to the theory and attempting to prove how natural selection can account for it. What methods and reasoning techniques does he use to make his case? Are his responses to these challenges adequate? Choose one example and analyze the logic of his argument.

The chapters on geological and fossil records, mutual affinities among organisms, and geographical distribution consistently point out (and express awe at) the vast expanses of time that had to unfold for the processes of natural selection to yield results. The vastness of this timeframe, Darwin notes, is difficult to imagine and yet necessary for natural selection theory. Does he exploit the tension between common sense and science, or reason and imagination? How does he force other thinkers to confront their own capacity for understanding? What role does temporal expanse play in this?

Chapter 13, “Mutual Affinities of Organic Beings,” considers the problems of classification and taxonomy. What ramifications does natural selection theory have for the classification of species? What organizational principle should drive classification? Why shouldn’t it be based on species’ resemblance? How does Darwin use morphology, embryology, and the existence of “rudimentary organs” to support his views?

Darwin frames much of his theory in terms of the “struggle for existence” between members of various species and, often, between members of the same species or immediate family. Although he never used the phrase, “survival of the fittest” could justly apply to the ruthless competition among organisms in nature. Many people have used this concept to justify hateful, prejudiced, and Eurocentric worldviews. How has Darwinian theory been applied to racist and bigoted ideologies? Did proponents of these ideologies misunderstand the meaning of natural selection? If so, how?

Although Darwin is now considered the father of evolutionary biology and revered as a figure of substantial scientific greatness, during his lifetime (and even in subsequent generations) his work was controversial and often vilified. Why? Why do you think scientific progress often encounters strong opposition within scientific communities and beyond?

Darwin consistently argues for natural selection theory over independent creation theory, the predominant view even in the scientific community during his lifetime. What is the fundamental difference between the two views? Do you find Darwin’s case for natural selection convincing? Why or why not? What issues, if any, does it have difficulty explaining?