surprising truths about charles darwin david pannell university of western australia
TRANSCRIPT
Surprising truths about Surprising truths about Charles DarwinCharles Darwin
Surprising truths about Surprising truths about Charles DarwinCharles Darwin
David PannellUniversity of Western Australia
Just a bloke with a good idea?Just a bloke with a good idea?Just a bloke with a good idea?Just a bloke with a good idea? I was interested in evolution but not in
Darwin Eventually read Adrian Desmond and
James Moore (1991) “Darwin”
LifelineLifelineLifelineLifeline Born 1809 Study (Edinburgh and Cambridge)
1825-1831 Voyage of the Beagle 1831-36 Retired to Down 1842 The Origin of Species
1859 Died 1882 Darwin’s home at Down, near London
Darwin’s achievementsDarwin’s achievementsDarwin’s achievementsDarwin’s achievements Transformed biological science
Both style and content Still the cornerstone of biology Now the cutting edge of psychology
Transformed attitudes of humanity to our place in the universe
Not just an evolutionistNot just an evolutionistNot just an evolutionistNot just an evolutionist Not even a biologist to start with Collected beetles for fun Studied geology more seriously Considered himself a geologist
throughout the Beagle voyage and for some time after
Famous for working out how coral atolls are formed
His books His books (not just on evolution)(not just on evolution)His books His books (not just on evolution)(not just on evolution)
Beagle voyage Coral reefs Volcanic islands Geology of South
America Barnacles Species Man
Emotions Climbing plants Domestication Cross and self
fertilisation Orchids Worms Autobiography
Contribution to style of scienceContribution to style of scienceContribution to style of scienceContribution to style of science Pre-Darwin, science was done in
homage to God Was primarily descriptive Deduction and theorising was
disparaged as “speculation” Darwin used detailed observation to
explore much larger questions - helped change scientific methods
Natural selectionNatural selectionNatural selectionNatural selection Developed theory in complete isolation In face of violent opposition With no knowledge of genetics With no knowledge of DNA With no knowledge of plate tectonics With no observations of natural
selection actually occurring
Not first to propose evolutionNot first to propose evolutionNot first to propose evolutionNot first to propose evolution French tradition
Jean-Baptiste Lamark Etienne Geoffroy St Hilaire
Erasmus Darwin (Grandfather) Robert Grant (Mentor) Was expounded in a popular book
(“Vestiges”) 15 years before “Origin”
Darwin was mis-creditedDarwin was mis-creditedDarwin was mis-creditedDarwin was mis-credited Died famous for evolution (which was
not his idea) Natural selection not widely accepted,
even among his supporters Darwin remained convinced Only 40-50 years later did scientists
appreciate his foresight.
The Beagle Only 90 foot long, but carrying 74 people.
Joining the Beagle VoyageJoining the Beagle VoyageJoining the Beagle VoyageJoining the Beagle Voyage Not paid for 5 years on Beagle. Actually, he had to pay! Was lucky to get on
replaced someone who was shot in a duel
his father opposed him going
Mainly asked because of his class, to keep Captain Fitzroy company
It was the making of him
Galapogos, 1835Galapogos, 1835Galapogos, 1835Galapogos, 1835 Portrayed as a “Eureka” experience. Actually, was hugely homesick Did not recognise significance until back
in England, 1837. Worked out theory much later. First inkling of natural selection in 1838.
Turtles & finches were key evidence On boat home, ate turtles, dumped shells Thought finches different species; didn’t even
label them properly
The Beagle in Sydney HarbourThe Beagle in Sydney HarbourThe Beagle in Sydney HarbourThe Beagle in Sydney Harbour
Darwin in AustraliaDarwin in AustraliaDarwin in AustraliaDarwin in Australia Only visited three places in Australia
Sydney, Jan 1836 Hobart, Feb 1836 Albany, Mar 1836
“On the whole I do not like New South Wales. It is no doubt an admirable place to accumulate pounds and shillings; but heaven forbid that I should live where every man is sure be somewhere between a petty rogue and a bloodthirsty villain.” (Darwin to Henslow)
Darwin in AlbanyDarwin in AlbanyDarwin in AlbanyDarwin in Albany In Albany 6-14 March 1836
“The settlement consists of 30-40 small white washed cottages, which are scattered on the side of a bank and along a white sea beach.”
Explored Bald Head Attended a corroboree. Visited Strawberry Hill Farm
Darwin in AlbanyDarwin in AlbanyDarwin in AlbanyDarwin in Albany Felt homesick. Departure delayed by
strong winds. “I do not remember, since leaving England,
having passed a more dull and uninteresting time.” (Voyage)
Failed to recognise the massive biodiversity. “He who thinks with me will never wish to
walk again in so uninviting a country.” (Voyage)
Darwin in AlbanyDarwin in AlbanyDarwin in AlbanyDarwin in Albany By FAR the most important and the
most famous person ever to visit Albany.
One of very few places he did visit outside England and South America
Not a single indication of his ever having visited. No plaque, monument, street name, place
name
The Big Idea: The Big Idea: Natural SelectionNatural Selection
The Big Idea: The Big Idea: Natural SelectionNatural Selection
He knew about fossils Collected many for extinct animals Knew about Llyell’s theory of
“evolution” of geology Read Malthus (an economist) on
population and competition for resources. His ideas developed steadily over 20
years
Darwin’s sand walk at Down: a daily thoughtful stroll
Influence of economicsInfluence of economicsInfluence of economicsInfluence of economics He read Malthus and Adam Smith Saw specialisation benefits in factory
Wedgewood (wife’s family owned it) Evolutionary biology makes use of
models from economics, especially game theory. Example: “The Selfish Gene”, Richard
Dawkins
Slow to publish: Why so long?Slow to publish: Why so long?Slow to publish: Why so long?Slow to publish: Why so long? Anguish Illness Slow development of ideas Collection of a wealth of evidence
AnguishAnguishAnguishAnguish Social class
Respectability Evolution subversive - against his class
Religous considerations especially worried about hurting wife
Emma who grieved for his soul
Scientific prejudice against “speculation”
“Like confessing a murder.”
IllnessIllnessIllnessIllness Problems throughout life
violent shivering, vomiting, exhaustion, palpitations, hands trembling, head swimming, sleeplessness, headaches, flatulence, stomach problems, ringing of ears, fainting, copious pallid urine
In 1841 could work “an hour or two a couple of days a week.”
Chaga’s disease? Just nervous? Poisoning himself with medecine?
Slow to publish: Why so long?Slow to publish: Why so long?Slow to publish: Why so long?Slow to publish: Why so long? Anguish Illness Slow development of ideas Detailed analysis, collection of a
wealth of evidence pigeons barnacles
BarnaclesBarnaclesBarnaclesBarnacles Started out as a brief study.
Took 8 years (from 1948). Huge 2 volume treatise overhauling entire
sub-class.
Dominated his kids lives One of his kids asked a friend, “Where does
your dad do his barnacles?”
Established him as a biological specialist, not just a geologist
Royal Society Medal
CourageCourageCourageCourage On Beagle voyage, rode hundreds of
miles through bandit areas and war zones in South America
Stayed on the voyage for five years despite extreme sea sickness
Worked through his illnesses Was willing to publish “Origins”
despite the risks
WealthWealthWealthWealth Father a wealthy doctor Reduced his enthusiasm to get a job as
a doctor or clergyman Wealth bought time and resources Made money from investments (land
and railway stocks), not from books
Alfred Russel WallaceAlfred Russel WallaceAlfred Russel WallaceAlfred Russel Wallace Thought of natural selection
independently Wrote to Darwin Darwin had been working on book Published a “letter” jointly Bit it was Darwin who put in the hard
yards collecting and documenting evidence to support theory
ReligionReligionReligionReligion Started out on path to clergy
“The Darwins had produced lawyers and military men, but Charles lacked the self-discipline. There was, however, a safety net to stop second sons becoming wastrels: the Church of England. An aimless son with a penchant for field sports would fit in nicely.” (Desmond & Moore)
Signed 39 articles of faith A naturalist parson?
Religion did accommodate Darwin to some extent Many religious leaders not literalist Science served religion, so its findings
were taken as revelations of God’s plan
Buried in Westminster Abbey The Times: “The Abbey needed Darwin
more than Darwin needed the Abbey.”
Religious conflictReligious conflictReligious conflictReligious conflict Samuel Wilberforce vs T.H.Huxley
“Was it from your mother’s side or your father’s side that you were descended from an ape?”
“If the question is whether I would rather have a miserable ape for a grandfather or a man of means and influence who uses these gifts to introduce ridicule into a grave scientific discussion, I unhesitatingly affirm my preference for the ape!”
“For once reality and his brain came into contact, and the result was fatal.”
Years later Wilberforce fell off his horse, landed on his head and was killed.