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Darwin's Precursors and Influences

Conclusions of this Essay

by John Wilkins
Copyright © 1996-2003
[Last Update: 21 February 2003]

 

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Darwin's theories consist of seven main hypotheses. He was neither original nor claimed to be on transmutation or the struggle for existence. He proposed original hypotheses extending earlier theories of common descent and biogeographical speciation. Natural selection and sexual selection were his own theories, not influenced either by earlier formulations or by Wallace's independent discoveries. His theory of heredity was not original except in his specific and mistaken hypothesis of pangenesis. Finally, Darwin was working as a bona fide scientist in the science of his day, and his theories are not mere reflections of his religious, political or economic beliefs.

The following table summarises the conclusions:

 

Hypothesis

Original to C Darwin

Influenced

First author

Transmutation of species

No

Possibly, by Lamarck, E Darwin, and Lyell's anti-Lamarckian arguments

Lamarck or Erasmus Darwin in the scientific tradition

Struggle for existence

No

Yes, by numerous scientists and writers (eg, Malthus, Tennyson).

Heraclitus

Common descent

No, but first to propose single ancestor of all life

Yes, by numerous scientists, especially von Baer and Owen.

Maupertuis

Biogeographical speciation

No

Numerous scientists, esp. Wallace.

Gmelin, von Buch

Natural selection

No

No. Independently discovered by Wallace.

Wells (not as mechanism of evolution - Darwin was first in this)

Sexual selection

Yes

Possibly by comments by Erasmus Darwin.

C Darwin

Heredity (use and disuse)

No

Yes, possibly by Lamarck.

Ancient

Heredity (pangenesis)

Yes

Yes

C Darwin

 

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