ANTA01H3 Chapter Notes - Chapter Chapter 2: James Ussher, Scientific Revolution, Catastrophism
Document Summary
Describe the key contributions to evolutionary theory mady by precursors to darwin and explain how each influenced the development of evolutionary theory. Contrast the scientific understanding of biological evolution with nonscientific approaches that seek to explain the origins of life and how life has changed on earth. Natural selection - the most critical mechanism of evolutionary change, first articulated by. Charles darwin and alfred russel wallace; refers to genetic change in the frequencies of certain traits in populations due to differential reproductive success between individuals. Due to strong christian influence, and literal lessons from the bible, and a rigid feudal society, Middle ages in europe embraced what is known as fixity of species (life on earth had been created by god exactly as it existed in the present, and the belief that life-forms couldn"t change). Argument from design - the plan of the entire universe was viewed as god"s design.
