The Only Game in Town
The single greatest idea to be understood by our species was published in a book on Thursday November 24, 1859. The debut of Charles Darwin's, On the Origin of Species lit an intellectual beacon that signaled to every standing biotic field. The idea was Evolution by natural selection and it gave an explanation for all the variation in life. On the Origin of Species explains earths grandiose biotic variation in a simplistic manner, void of scientific jargon. Darwin’s theory of natural selection now serves as a foundation for every biotic field as well as a complementary crutch for many social sciences. Anthropology, endocrinology, philosophy, psychology and economics all bow to Darwin’s axiom of adaptation in some way. On the Origin of Species also managed to kick sand in the face of the then unanimously accepted notion of god sent origination and divinely installed morality. The only ology to remain unimpressed with Charles Darwin is theology. The most passionate, high-stakes debates mankind divide themselves over are divine debates. For over a hundred and fifty years, Origins has provided severe secular firepower in opposition to any given omnipotent, intervening celestial dictator. Darwin’s theory is so significant and solid that it will quite possibly extend to all life beyond earth. If there is extra terrestrial life in any form, single cell or not, there is a definite chance that its variation is powered my natural selection. On the origin of Species is historic, scientifically profound and forever ahead of its time.
An idea that changes the way a discipline of science is conducted becomes immortalized within its relevant field. Watson and Crick’s eureka, via DNA, gave birth to entire fields of study and defined molecular genetics. Jane Goodall’s observations on chimpanzee culture in Tanzania shook the world of primatology. Like Goodall, Watson and Crick, Darwin and On the Origin of Species continue to be relevant decades later....