A Little Conversation with Darwin
The Theory of Evolution was founded by the naturalist and geologist Charles Darwin (1809–1882). On Wikipedia, you can find the following:
Charles Robert Darwin (12 February 1809 – 19 April 1882) was an English naturalist, geologist, and biologist, best known for his contributions to the science of evolution. He established that all species of life have descended over time from common ancestors and, in a joint publication with Alfred Russel Wallace, introduced his scientific theory that this branching pattern of evolution resulted from a process that he called natural selection, in which the struggle for existence has a similar effect to the artificial selection involved in selective breeding.
Darwin published his theory of evolution with compelling evidence in his 1859 book On the Origin of Species, overcoming scientific rejection of earlier concepts of transmutation of species. By the 1870s, the scientific community and a majority of the educated public had accepted evolution as a fact. However, many favored competing for explanations and it was not until the emergence of the modern evolutionary synthesis from the 1930s to the 1950s that a broad consensus developed in which natural selection was the basic mechanism of evolution. Darwin’s scientific discovery is the unifying theory of the life sciences, explaining the diversity of life.
Darwin’s early interest in nature led him to neglect his medical education at the University of Edinburgh; instead, he helped to investigate marine invertebrates. Studies at the University of Cambridge (Christ’s College) encouraged his passion for natural science. His five-year voyage on HMS Beagle established him as an eminent geologist whose observations and theories supported Charles Lyell’s uniformitarian ideas, and publication of his journal of the voyage made him famous as a popular author.
Puzzled by the geographical distribution of wildlife and fossils he collected on the voyage, Darwin began detailed investigations, and in 1838 conceived his theory of natural selection. Although he discussed his ideas with several naturalists, he needed time for extensive research and his geological work had priority. He was writing up his theory in 1858 when Alfred Russel Wallace sent him an essay that described the same idea, prompting immediate joint publication of both of their theories. Darwin’s work established evolutionary descent with modification as the dominant scientific explanation of diversification in nature. In 1871 he examined the human evolution and sexual selection in The Descent of Man, and Selection in Relation to Sex, followed by The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals (1872). His research on plants was published in a series of books, and in his final book, The Formation of Vegetable Mould, through the Actions of Worms (1881), he examined earthworms and their effect on soil.
Darwin has been described as one of the most influential figures in human history, and he was honored by burial in Westminster Abbey.
Given the above, this theory is quite popular in the circles of the religious vs. atheist debates. Atheists see this theory as a strong justification for their atheism. Almost all atheists defend the validity of this theory and its scientific proofs. Regardless of this controversy, what is the position of the founder of this theory regarding the atheists’ dependence on his theory?!
This is what the film discusses by looking into the writings of Charles Darwin himself.
Editor’s Note:
To learn more about Darwin, Darwinism, and Evolution, take a look at the following links:
Allah the Almighty says in His Ever-Glorious Qur’an what means,
“Will they not regard the camels, how they are created? And the heaven, how it is railed? And the hills, how they are set up? And the earth, how it is spread? Remind them, for thou art but a remembrancer. Thou art not at all a warder over them. But whoso is averse and disbelieveth. Allah will punish him with direst punishment. Lo! unto Us is their return. And Ours their reckoning” (Al-Ghashiyah 88: 17-26).
References:
1- Adrian Desmond and James Moore, Darwin: The Life of a Tormented Evolutionist, Michael Joseph, London, 1991, p. 658.
2- Darwin’s Letter to Frederick McDermott 24 November 1880
https://www.darwinproject.ac.uk/lette…
3- Darwin’s Letter to John Fordyce 7 May 1879
https://www.darwinproject.ac.uk/lette…
4- Darwin’s Letter to N. D. Doedes 2 April 1873
https://www.darwinproject.ac.uk/lette…
5- Darwin’s Letter to James Grant 11 March 1878
https://www.darwinproject.ac.uk/lette…
6- “Charles Darwin and Asa Gray Discuss Teleology and Design“, Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith.
7- Darwin’s Letter to John Fordyce 7 May 1879
https://www.darwinproject.ac.uk/lette…
8- Darwin’s Letter to John Lubbock [22 November 1859]
https://www.darwinproject.ac.uk/lette…
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* This Video was created and produced by Guide To Islam and was taken and republished here with due reference.