The inevitability that humanity will eternally be an ever-changing component of nature proposes a quintessential question: is the fact that humanity deviates from nature a natural occurrence, or does humanity intentionally separate itself from the natural world? Charles Darwin, an English naturalist, suggests that it is human nature to deviate from the natural world in order to secure our survival. Darwin’s thesis on humanity is challenged by an English scientist, Edward Jenner, who proposes that humans once existed in a natural state but have slowly become more unnatural and separated from nature. In this paper I aim to delve into both Darwin and Jenner’s theories concerning humanity in an attempt to reveal that Darwin’s views on humanity prove true, and make what Jenner believes is unnatural, to be in fact natural.
Darwin’s concept on humanity initially begins with evolution. In order for the cogs in the wheel of nature to turn, there must be significant differences within species. Darwin refers to this idea as variation, which can be found within the aesthetic, behavior, or genetic makeup of an individual found in a species. These variations generate competition within species to survive, seeing as there will ultimately be both favorable and unfavorable traits. The concept of survival of the fittest is notably known as Darwin’s natural selection theory. Natural selection, according to Darwin, is the “…preservation of favourable variations and the rejection of injurious variations” (Darwin 81). Those who have undesirable traits in comparison to their competitors will ultimately lose in the struggle for survival, and die off. Survival is only achieved when variations possess the ability to reproduce and pass these favo...
... middle of paper ...
...the ability to draw conclusions and test hypotheses; it may be true that our beliefs very well create science, as opposed to science creating beliefs.
Although Jenner reveals elements of humanity being unnatural, Darwin believes that it is natural for humanity to deviate from nature. We are a very diverse species, and we differ significantly than many of the other species that exist within nature. Through Darwin’s evaluation of variation and the evolution through natural selection, it is evident that humans were selected to possess certain characteristics that we are meant to utilize for survival. We may lack claws, or sharp teeth, yet we have mental capabilities that far exceed those individuals of other species. It is natural for humans to deviate from a natural state because we are the more advanced aspect of nature, and our survival tactics require us to.
Our awareness, our perception within nature, as Thomas states, is the contrast that segregates us from our symbols. It is the quality that separates us from our reflections, from the values and expectations that society has oppressed against itself. However, our illusions and hallucinations of nature are merely artifacts of our anthropocentric idealism. Thomas, in “Natural Man,” criticizes society for its flawed value-thinking, advocating how it “[is merely] a part of a system . . . [and] we are, in this view, neither owners nor operators; at best, [are] motile tissues specialized for receiving information” (56). We “spread like a new growth . . . touching and affecting every other kind of life, incorporating ourselves,” destroying the nature we coexist with, “[eutrophizing] the earth” (57). However, Thomas questions if “we are the invaded ones, the subjugated, [the] used?” (57). Due to our anthropocentric idealism, our illusions and hallucinations of nature, we forget that we, as organisms, are microscopically inexistent. To Thomas, “we are not made up, as we had always supposed, of successively enriched packets of our own parts,” but rather “we are shared, rented, occupied [as] the interior of our cells, driving them, providing the oxidative energy that sends us out for the improvement of each shining day, are the mitochondria” (1).
In Stegner’s perception, humans are the only wild species left. Humans are the only ones who have survived genetically unchanged. They are the ones who create the technological advan...
Darwin theorized that nature selects those traits that best allow a species to reproduce and survive.
Darwin has two theories on the key principles of theory of evolution. One is the natural selection, a species that attains characteristics that are adapted to their environments (Darwin, Charles). The other one is survival of the fittest, which is when an individual best adapts to their environment survive to reproduce, and their genes are passed to later generat...
In this section, Adler corrects the teachings of Rousseau, Hobbes and Locke and their arguments about the state of nature. One teaching Adler disputes goes by the name of “the state of nature”. This phrase, when used by Hobbes, Locke, or Rousseau signifies a condition of human life on earth in which individuals live in isolation with complete independence. The second thing Adler disputes is that human beings were dissatisfied with living in a state of nature, that they decided to put up with it no longer and to agree upon certain rules for living together under some form of government that eliminated their isolation. Adler’s argument is that these three treat the state of nature as if it was a historical reality and not a thought experiment. He argues that society and government have grown over time because humans are naturally social
Darwin states that this struggle need not be competitive in nature and also entails a species’ efficiency at producing offspring. Natural selection works not as an active entity that seeks and exterminates species that are not suited for their environment; instead, it retains variations that heighten a species’ ability to dominate in the struggle for existence and discards those that are detrimental or useless to that species. Stephen J. Gould explains the case of r-selection in which a species’ chances of survival are most reliant on its ability to reproduce rapidly and not on its structure being ideally suited for its environment. Gould’s example shows the beneficial results of perceiving natural selection not as something that changes a species in accordance with its environment but as something that preserves characteristics beneficial in the s... ...
Darwin and Evolution are inextricably linked in the minds of most people who have had the opportunity to study them in basic biology. However, Darwin's theories of selection and survival of the fittest have been applied to moral, economic, political, and other cultural aspects of society. Dennett briefly touched on some of the political and social ramifications of Darwin's theories in the final chapter of Darwin's Dangerous Idea. Other philosophers and thinkers have also adapted Darwin's evolutionary ideas, in order to apply them in a societal or cultural context. One great example of this adaptation of the biological concept of evolution, is the appearance of Social Darwinism during the 19th century.
Most people believe that Social Darwinism is a term that can only be applied to people’s race, and for most well known social Darwinism theories this is true. The basis of these theories is always revolved around the term survival of the fittest. Darwin works where to do with animals and how animal species have ada...
Since the beginning of the human race there has been a lingering question as to the origins of man and how all living things acquired their characteristics. The two main theories that arose over time were Creationism and Evolution, both of which provided very distinct answers to this question. Creationism based its answer on the idea of a supernatural power or being that created the entire universe, man and the numerous other organisms that live within it. While, Evolution theorizes that all living things have the potential to change and grow over time into something new and different. So in other words, one theory suggests that humans and all the organisms on Earth are the result of divine design, while the other indicates that they are only the result of environmental adaption and growth. However, as neither theory is without flaw and it is only through close examination that a true understanding of man’s origins can be obtained.
Wesley then uses nature itself in his arguments by stating: “Eugenics, as awful as it is, is only the beginning of the threat posed to the natural order by human cloning”.
Charles Darwin has five parts to his theory of natural selection, firstly the “Geometric increase” which claims that “all living things reproduce in great numbers”, meaning that species may survive but not all will survive because, the resources used for survival for instance ,food will not be enough for all living things. “The struggle for existence” because there is a limited number of resources and can only sustain some and not all, not all living things will survive, however the question lies in which living being will survive?. “Variation” is the third part of natural selection which claims that within those living things there are variations within them that will determine whic...
Fromm underlines a split in humans, a theme of separation that is evident. To begin with, Fromm proposes that humans have been torn away from their prehistoric union with nature because of “reason.” Fromm suggests that man is a part of nature, while being “apart” from it, this is a result of “self-awareness, reason, and imagination.” These humanistic characteristics have disrupted harmony in nature, creating this dichotomous human existence. Furthermo...
Pinker, Steven. The Blank Slate: The Modern Denial of Human Nature. New York: Viking, 2002. Print.
“Simple things which the other animals easily learn, he is incapable of learning” (Twain). Mark Twain’s essay over “The Dammed Human Race” is full of satire when he describes humans and their behaviors. In his piece, he compares humans and their lack of morals against animals who exhibit stronger morals. Mark provides several examples in the form of tests to back up his theory. In doing so, he denounces the Darwin theory and comes up with what he believes is more suitable, the Descent of Man from the Higher Animals. Mark comes to the conclusion that humans are the least evolved and should remain at the bottom of the species list rather than the top. Although Mark conveys false credibility, speculative generalizations, and a somewhat critical satire, his essay is indeed successful.
... have seen human nature grow and change. Because human nature is dynamic, we must observe it throughout history. Human nature grows through factions, it is protected through just popular government and its future is ensured through the ultimate good. We are living in human nature, we are human nature, and because of this we are also changing. We change as the ideas and opinions of the world change. Through death, we may come to fully understand human nature but only through living will we use the power of our human nature to create the just world of tomorrow.