How Does Evolution Really Work?

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses the concepts behind Charles Darwin's theory of evolution. It describes the four processes of evolution according to Darwin, while specifically focusing on hummingbirds from Ecuador as a great example of a species in which the gene pool has prepared for long-term survival. The paper also briefly mentions the arguments against Darwin.

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"Although Darwin's theories are accepted by the majority of the scientific community, there are still those that put it in doubt in spite of the evidence that has arisen from the study of fossils and genetic material. As he himself had anticipated in The Origin of Species, "That many and grave objections may be advanced against the theory of descent with modification through natural selection, I do not deny" (Darwin ch. 14, para. 2, line 1). In his time, Darwin's theories caused outrage since they challenged the traditional views of Church and society. Natural selection was contrary to both the notion of human domination and the concept of divine intervention. The same fear persists until this day. In some societies, the concept of evolution as conceived by Darwin is still in conflict with religious beliefs. For many, the main obstacle is the fact that natural selection is just a theory and no scientific proof as such is available ("Evolutionary Science"). Just as with gravitation we see the effects and not gravitation itself, with natural selection we see its effects but research still needs to be performed to fully explain its mechanisms."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Darwin, Charles. On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection. The TalkOrigins Archive. Talk Origins. 17 Mar. 2007 <http://www.talkorigins.org/faqs/origin.html>.
• "How Does Evolution Really Work?" Evolution. 2001. WGBH Educational Foundation and Clear Blue Sky Productions Inc. PBS. 17 Mar. 2007 <http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/evolution/educators/teachstuds/svideos.html>.
• "Evolutionary Science since The Origin of Species." Darwin Digital Library of Evolution. American Museum of Natural History. 16 Mar. 2007 <http://darwinlibrary.amnh.org/index.php?globalnav=descendants>.
• "Theory of Natural Selection." Biology Online. 1 Jan. 2000. 17 Mar. 2007 <http://www.biology-online.org/2/10_natural_selection.htm>.

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