Monday, February 2, 2015

Darwin: On Origin of Species 2/4

How does Darwin argue for the theories he’s proposing?  How does he know what he knows?  What is persuasive? What isn't? What moves is he making?

  • "certain birds", "certain trees"--everything is so perfect and specific, how could that be?
  •  where does variation come from? can we teach it?
    • ex. domesticating animals
  •  there is some sort of purpose or reasoning for characteristics of things--physical and demeanor
  • multiple species are a result of one original species
Making his argument:
  • an argument should "fully state and balance the facts and arguments on both sides of each question", BUT :this cannot possibly be here done"
  •  rejects what most naturalists defend
  • he is really just saying "look at the world, it's obvious there is some sort of evolution/adaptation"
  • he knows he is going against other naturalists, and religion at this time--
  • uses experimentation

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