Darwinism

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Darwinism (pronunciation: /ˈdɑːrwɪnɪzəm/) is a theory of biological evolution developed by the English naturalist Charles Darwin (1809–1882) and others, stating that all species of organisms arise and develop through the natural selection of small, inherited variations that increase the individual's ability to compete, survive, and reproduce. Also called Darwinian theory, it originally included the broad concepts of transmutation of species or of evolution which gained general scientific acceptance after Darwin published On the Origin of Species in 1859, including concepts which predated Darwin's theories.

Etymology

The term "Darwinism" was coined by Thomas Henry Huxley in April 1860. It was used to describe evolutionary concepts in general, including earlier concepts published by English philosopher Herbert Spencer. Many early proponents of evolutionary theory postulated transmutation of species, and it was not initially tied to the specific theory of natural selection.

Related Terms

  • Natural Selection: The process whereby organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring.
  • Evolution: The process by which different kinds of living organisms are thought to have developed and diversified from earlier forms during the history of the earth.
  • Survival of the Fittest: A phrase that originated from Darwinian evolutionary theory as a way of describing the mechanism of natural selection.
  • Adaptation: The action or process of adapting or being adapted.
  • Species: A group of living organisms consisting of similar individuals capable of exchanging genes or interbreeding.

See Also

External links

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