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Early Life (1825-1831)
Darwin was fascinated with natural science from an early age. While attending Edinburgh University, Darwin began studying marine life, and submitted his first set of papers to the Plinian Society in March of 1827 ( Van Wyhe). He attended Cambridge University and was recommended for a trip aboard the HMS Beagle. van Wyhe, John. “Charles Darwin 1809–2009.” The International Journal of Biochemistry & Cell Biology, vol. 41, no. 2, Elsevier Ltd, 2009, pp. 251–53, doi:10.1016/j.biocel.2008.08.024. -
Voyage of the HMS Beagle (1831-1836)
Darwin traveled for 4 years and 9 months, where he documented his discoveries in his journal (Swab). Darwin collected many species of plants, animals, rocks, and categorized these findings in his journal (Swab). Darwin also sent several specimens back to Cambridge University to be studied. Swab, Janice C. “Introducing Students to Darwin via the Voyage of HMS Beagle.” The American Biology Teacher, vol. 72, no. 5, University of California Press, 2010, pp. 281–86, doi:10.1525/abt.2010.72.5.5. -
On The Origin Of Species (1859)
From 1854 to 1858, Darwin worked on creating his species theory. Darwin published his work in 1859, which detailed his theory of Natural Selection (Schemske). Darwin theorized adaption to distinct habits caused populations to develop relevant traits for survival (Schemske). Darwin's work came with criticism and support. Schemske, Douglas W. “Adaptation and The Origin of Species.” The American Naturalist, vol. 176, no. S1, The University of Chicago Press, 2010, pp. S4–S25, doi:10.1086/657060. -
Contribution to Philosophy of Science (Darwinian Evolutionism)
Darwin's theories on Evolution led to a new scientific thought and understanding. His theory only used observation to make a prediction of the past while offering no prediction of the future. This theory helped bring forward social sciences and change thinking of how science is presented Streeck, Wolfgang. “From Speciation to Specialization: On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, Charles Darwin.” Social Research, vol. 85, no. 3, Johns Hopkins University Press, 2018, pp. 661–85. -
The Descent of Man
The Descent of Man profoundly influenced moral philosophy in the 19th century. Darwin argued that humans were a social species, and it was due to this social behavior and competition that humans developed reflective, ethical beings with morals and a conscious (Hale). Hale, Piers J. “Charles Darwin, Sexual Selection and the Evolution of Other-Regarding Ethics.” BJHS Themes, 2021, pp. 1–21, doi:10.1017/bjt.2021.5. -
Death of Darwin (1882)
Darwin is credited with one of the greatest discoveries in human-kind. Darwin's work has revolutionized the study of nature as a whole and Naturalist W. B. Carpenter referred to him as a Philosopher who has wrought a greater revolution in human thought within a quarter of a century than any man of our time (Wyhe). van Wyhe, John. “Charles Darwin 1809–2009.” The International Journal of Biochemistry & Cell Biology, vol. 41, no. 2, Elsevier Ltd, 2009, pp. 251–53, doi:10.1016/j.biocel.2008.08.024.