What is the theory of natural selection?

Question

How did the theories of early evolutionary scholars lead to the modern synthesis of natural selection?

Answer 1

Do your own homework.

Answer 2

ONLY THE STRONG SURVIVE!!!

Answer 3

Ah yes, Charles Darwin... the idea that society (animals, humans, etc) is separated between the weak and the strong. Only the strong live, because the weak aren't able to survive under their certain circumstances, thus, "survival of the fittest." That, what i just explained, is natural selection. Who lives and who dies occurs "naturally" in human nature.  Now for the next question... you need to figure it out yourself. I'm sensing this is a homework question..

Answer 4

Unlike other claims "Survival of the fittest" is creationist bunk. Darwin never said/wrote/thought it.

Natural selection is based on observation. In the Galapagos Islands Darwin saw finches that had very different beaks.The various beaks allowed them to exploit certain food resources.

Natural selection simple is that organisms that best adapt to their enviorment are most likely to have offspring.That these offspring will have the same characteristics as their parents.

A finch with a beak that is more effective at getting food will be healthy and reproduce. It's offspring will likely have the same beak. That's natural selcetion.

Answer 5

Too often do people use the term, "only the strong survive" to describe natural selection.  This is very misleading.  I believe the best way to state this is "only the most reproductively successful go on to produce new offspring that will, in turn, go on to produce new offspring, and so on".  

Why do many scientists use this example as opposed to "only the strong survive"?  Because "strong" is a relative term; and, sometimes, the "strong" do not always go on to produce offspring that possess physical or genetic traits that will prove useful for the benefit of their species.  In this instance, species have been known to die out since they adapted traits that would not allow their species to thrive well into the future.  In this example, the species would actually be considered "weak".  So, while the individual was "strong" enough to reproduce, their genetic traits that they passed on to their offspring were not.  

Natural selection is neither good nor bad; it is simply a process.  In essence, it is the most fundamental element of life itself.  It is the primary component behind the evolution and development of entire species and ecosystems.  This observation was made by early evolutionary scholars--even going back as far as the Greek scholars.  Charles Darwin was not the first person to understand this; he was only the first person to write extensively on the topic and to put into a frame of mind that people could finally grasp and understand.

Organisms first thrive to survive as an individual (i.e., eat, breathe, drink, etc.); however, the drive to reproduce is equally important (i.e., some animals risk their own lives to pass on their genetic material--in other words, have s*x); and, all organisms are innately accustomed to picking those individuals who would be the best at producing viable offspring.  In humans, for example, and depending upon the culture, men and women have developed criteria or standards for what is considered reproductively successful, or attractive, in other words.  This is a part of natural selection.  There is no one, other than the individual organism, whether people, animals, plants, bacteria, fungi, etc., who will decide which individual that organism will mate with and produce offspring.  

Another simple way of looking at natural selection is this:  

"Wow!  She's hot!  For some reason, I find that girl very attractive; but that other girl over there is not for me.  Maybe this girl has a great body; or maybe she exhibits a power that I find fascinating; maybe it's the way she talks; or maybe I know that she would make a great mother.  Either way, I wish I could have her as my wife or girlfriend!  Hey girl, let's get married and have some kids.  Ok!!"  And then, little babies are born.  Ultimately, Mom & Dad will pass their genes along to their kids, and teach their kids their own values and beliefs that will, if successful, be useful enough to attract others; and they, in turn, will go on to produce more babies; and the cycle of life continues, etc. etc.!    

Now multiple that times 6 billion people; and that would the natural selection process of human beings.  

Now think about how the same process works in all living organisms.  

And, now think about how this process has occurred over billions of years.  And, when one combines this process with other biological mechanisms such as genetic mutations (good or bad), migration, and genetic drift, one can easily see how evolution is not only possible, but a scientific fact!

Answer 6

A short synopsis.

http://www.talkorigins.org/faqs/modern-s...

Answer 7

One of Charles Darwin's.

Answer 8

Start with Mendal and his peas http://www.mendelweb.org/ the maybe you'll get to Darwin and his Beagle http://www.aboutdarwin.com/ who knows, you'll get to eugenics:http://www.eugenics.net/papers/mission.h... just some suggestions for your edification