ANT 2000 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Color Vision, Comparative Anatomy, Scientific Method
18 Dec 2017
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Document Summary
Module 2: the basis of biological variation in humans and living primates. Through the 14th century, the genesis version of divine creation accepted as explanation for biological diversity, begins to change with the renaissance: basis of western ontological thought. Included the following beliefs: species were unchanging, species arranged in hierarchy with humans at the top. Copernicus challenged aristotle"s notion that the earth was fixed in the center of the universe. Through the 18th century, most still attributed creation to divine forces, but now phenomena were investigated, not accepted as unknowable. First to propose a process of biological change. Hypothesized a dynamic interplay between organic forms and the environment: as environment changed, organic forms changed, these acquired traits would then be passed on to offspring. Charles darwin set sail on a 5-year global expedition. Biological variation reflects adaptations to different environments. Diversity within the mainland species that was key to the process of adaptive change.
