Glossary
Adaptation
The process by which a species becomes better suited to its environment over time through natural selection.
Example:
The thick fur of a polar bear is an Adaptation that allows it to thrive in extremely cold Arctic environments.
Charles Darwin
A British naturalist who proposed the theory of evolution by natural selection.
Example:
His extensive travels, particularly to the Galapagos Islands, provided the foundational observations for his revolutionary ideas on biological change, making him a pivotal figure in scientific history, much like how Isaac Newton revolutionized physics with his laws of motion and gravity.
Eugenics
A set of beliefs and practices aimed at improving the genetic quality of the human population, often through selective breeding and forced sterilization.
Example:
The Eugenics movement in the early 20th century led to discriminatory laws and practices, including forced sterilizations of individuals deemed 'unfit' in several countries.
Evolution
The gradual process by which different kinds of living organisms are thought to have developed and diversified from earlier forms during the history of the Earth.
Example:
The evolution of antibiotic-resistant bacteria demonstrates how quickly species can adapt to new environmental pressures, posing significant challenges to modern medicine.
Heritable Traits
Characteristics or qualities that can be passed down from parents to their offspring through genes.
Example:
The color of a person's eyes or their natural hair texture are examples of Heritable Traits that are passed down through generations.
Imperialism
A policy of extending a country's power and influence through colonization, use of military force, or other means.
Example:
European powers engaged in widespread Imperialism in Africa during the 19th century, carving up the continent into colonies based on their perceived 'right' to rule.
Natural Selection
The mechanism of evolution where individuals better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring, passing on their beneficial traits.
Example:
In a forest fire, only the deer with the fastest reflexes might escape, illustrating Natural Selection favoring speed for survival.
On the Origin of Species
Charles Darwin's seminal book, published in 1859, which introduced the theory of evolution by natural selection.
Example:
The publication of On the Origin of Species sparked intense debate and fundamentally reshaped scientific understanding of life on Earth, challenging long-held beliefs about creation.
Racial Superiority
The belief that certain races are inherently better or more advanced than others, often used to justify discrimination and oppression.
Example:
The concept of Racial Superiority was a core tenet of Nazi ideology, leading to horrific atrocities during World War II.
Social Darwinism
A misapplication of Darwin's biological theories to human society, used to justify social, economic, and racial inequality.
Example:
Proponents of Social Darwinism might argue that the wealthy are inherently superior because they have 'succeeded' in the economic struggle, ignoring systemic inequalities.
Survival of the Fittest
A phrase often used to describe natural selection, meaning that individuals best suited to their environment are most likely to survive and reproduce.
Example:
In a harsh winter, only the strongest and most resourceful wolves might find enough food to survive, demonstrating the principle of Survival of the Fittest.
The Descent of Man
Charles Darwin's 1871 book that applied the principles of natural selection to human evolution and discussed sexual selection.
Example:
The Descent of Man extended Darwin's theories to human beings, sparking further controversy and laying groundwork for later social interpretations, however flawed.
Theory of Natural Selection
Darwin's theory explaining how species change over time, where individuals with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce.
Example:
The long necks of giraffes are a classic example of the Theory of Natural Selection at work, as those with longer necks could reach more food and thus had a better chance of survival and passing on their genes.
White Man's Burden
A poem by Rudyard Kipling that became a widely used phrase to justify European and American imperialism as a moral obligation to 'civilize' non-white peoples.
Example:
The idea of the White Man's Burden was used to rationalize the brutal colonization of indigenous populations, portraying it as a benevolent act rather than exploitation.