The Strengths and Weaknesses of the Reasoning and Evidence

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The Strengths and Weaknesses of the Reasoning and Evidence

For the Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection

Charles Darwin published “The Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection” in November of 1859. This work has been one of the greatest pieces of science believed ever written. Darwin uses his reasoning as well as the evidence that he has found to explain his theories in regards to evolution. Darwin was aware the text he wrote was controversial and many people argued the evidence that Darwin had presented. Considering that evolution is indeed merely a theory; there are strengths and weaknesses that would not exist if it were fact. Three strengths of evolution are the evidence of fossil records and the connection between living animals and animals from the past, the idea of natural selection and Darwin’s theory of “the survival of the fittest” and the freedom the nineteenth century gave Darwin to develop his theory in acknowledging the society’s drive towards science. Three weaknesses of evolution are the inconsistencies surrounding the fossil record evidence, the problem of natural selection when examining hereditary genetics and undeniably the theory of creation. Although Darwin’s theory was published

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over one hundred years ago and acknowledging the above strengths and weaknesses, the fact that it is still being discussed today allows the theory of evolution to maintain its position as one of the most controversial theories still in existence.

The fossil record is one mean of evidence that shows how evolution is occurring (Shermer 9). The fossil record shows an eventual change in the remains of species. There are similarities that can be found between Neanderthals and primates. They both have opposable thumbs which are necessary in picking up objects or to prevent the species in using their hands when they are walking upright. The opposable thumb makes humans and apes and other species of similarity some of the handiest in the world. While looking at fossils Darwin also noticed similarities between land, swimming and flying animals. An example of this is the Pentadactyl Limb. This is a homologous structure which can be found in humans, cats, bats and whales. During Darwin’s Voyage on the Beagle, he came across the Galapagos Islands. He not only noticed that species on the Galapagos Islands varied from pervious islands but that species varied with on the island itself. While observing tortoises, Darwin noticed similarities as well as differences that the tortoises possessed. Different characteristics that these creatures had were, shell shape, size and colour. These characteristics were all similar but had taken on slight changes as if they had made an adaptation. Darwin also noticed similarities and differences found in a group of birds. These birds are

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more famously known as Darwin’s finches. Like the tortoises, the finches had a lot of similarities but also varied in size and shape, colour, and had cosmetic differences such as beak shape. Fossils found in an area are usually pre-decedents to species currently living there.

        There are still gaps in the fossil record, even though it is more complete then when Darwin published his theory (Barton 73). Darwin’s rebuttal for this argument is not everything fossilised and that is why there are large gaps (Shermer 8). There is also the movement of plates to consider. Fossils could have ...

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