Question

Explain how the work of the following folks contributed to the development of the Theory of Natural Selection

Answer 1

Thomas Malthus was economist who proposed that human populations grow faster than the resources they depend on which becomes limiting factor for them, causing the increase of populations but also increase of famine and diseases. As a consequence, the weakest members die. Darwin linked this with the “survival of the fittest" (naturals elections favors the best suited for reproduction and survival).

Georges Cuvier was anti-evolutionist and religious man, but he did have influence on Darwin theory of evolution (natural selection). He was against linear system of classification so, his believes that there is more than one lineage for species helped Darwin shaped his theory.

Charles Lyell geologists who believed that geologic processes that were at the beginning of time were the same ones that were happening at the current time (processes work the same way through time). He explained that slow changes built up over time, so Darwin linked that with the way that life on Earth changes. (small adaptations that accumulated over long periods of time change a species).