Critical Analysis of the Descent of Man by Charles Darwin

In the essay The Descent Of Man by Charles Darwin excerpted from his book The Origin Of Species (1871), he tries to describe evolution through the natural selection of accumulated favorable variations in an organism that in time form new species within which the fact that man is descended from a lower-organized life form is prescribed to, by giving evidence of similarities of the characters of man which determine embryonic development, bodily structure, sexual selection, cerebral system with those of lower-life forms and in which he evidently succeeds and it is evident that man is not a separate art of creation and is descended of a common progenitor like all other mammals and though questions can be raised against his theory in terms of†¦show more content†¦This, he did to prove the acquisition of certain characters by animals which could not be explained by the process of natural selection. These characters in most cases fully develop only at maturity; and often only duri ng the mating season. The males in most cases are the most active in courtship- they are in fact, the best provided with and are the more attractive of the two sexes in various ways. The attractions are flaunted in an elaborate manner in the presence of the females; and also only during the mating season. It also happens to be, that the individuals of one sex are capable of feeling a preference for a certain individual of the opposite sex according to Darwin. When the above happens, like in the case of the argus pheasant where the females are attracted to the exotic shading of the ball-and-socket ornaments and designs on the wing feathers of the male, it is interesting to notice that the males especially flaunt their great plumes only during the mating season and preferably in the presence of his female counterpart/counterparts. The great plumes which prevent the wings from being used for flight, thus, can be traced to the fact that they were given to the male as an ornament. Also, interesting is the fact that, the females would likely mate with that male argus pheasant who had the greatest plume because it charms them. This gives the one with the greater plume and moreShow MoreRelatedDefending Slavery Essay2484 Words   |  10 Pagesthe day in the United States and Europe. Critical Analysis In Paul Finkelman’s book, particularly the fragments dedicated at the defense of slavery based on racial and religious justification state that black people where created by God and placed in Africa with the unique purpose to be servant of white people. This statement was scientifically dismantled by the Charles Darwin’s Theory of Universal Common Descent published in 1889. This theory is based on reliable scientificRead MoreThe Genders Essay2071 Words   |  9 Pagesthrough the years. These standard gender roles and relationships have survived because they remain successful in our culture by satisfying basic needs (Walsh,1987,11). Three men of great intellectual influences on our society today are Karl Marx, Charles Darwin, and Sigmund Freud. In order to understand the association of economics, biology and psychology in sexual relationships, we will refer to these three men and examine their expertise in each area. Few of us can deny the importance and powerRead MoreThe Discipline Of Cultural Anthropology3459 Words   |  14 Pageswhen Enlightenment ideas and ideals were being disseminated across Europe and North America. Most educated people in Europe and the Americas during the 19th century had their first full exposure to the concept of evolution through the writings of Charles Darwin. He carried out the necessary research to conclusively document that evolution has occurred and then made the idea acceptable for scientists and the general public. â€Å"To understand the significance of this turn it is necessary to understand thatRead MoreWhere Did Humans Originate?2179 Words   |  9 Pagesbeings and chimpanzees perhaps lived about 5 million years ago. One of the unique creature on the planet earth are humans although this was not always in the same way. Long time ago, some curious human relatives, as if Homo species or a Nutcracker Man whose miniature forms resembled the hobbits on Lord of the Rings, roamed Earth. Scientists are still finding indication that how modern humans crisscrossed paths through some of our lineages, that fossil are proposing (Figure 1). Homo sapiens mightRead MoreEquality, Freedom, And Religion Essay2571 Words   |  11 Pagessurrounding freedom of religion, freedom of beliefs and equality. In particular, he discusses the idea of religious freedom and how courts and the law should observe the religious beliefs and practices of a person. This essay will provide a critical analysis and review of several major points in the text, firstly, the idea of religious freedom as a human right will be critically discussed as it is a concept that is important for the whole book. Secondly, religious freedom and equality will be discussedRead MoreFamily As A Social Institution Doc Essay5585 Words   |  23 Pages3 Stage Three 07 3.4 Stage Four 07-08 3.5 Stage Five 08 3.6 Stage Six 08 4. Role Of Family 08-09 4.1 Toward children 09 4.2 Toward Parent 09-10 5. Theoretical analysis of the family 10 5.1 Function of the family structural functional analysis 10-11 5.2 INEQUALITY AND THE FAMILY 11 5.2.1 SOCIAL CONFLICT ANALYSIS 12 5.3 Micro level analysis 12 5.3.1 Interactionist view 12 6. Family Life in Different Time 12 6.1 IN THE PAST 12-13 6.2 In The Present 13-14 7. Existence of family life in future 14-15Read MoreA Brief Analysis on Sexism in English5522 Words   |  23 PagesA Brief Analysis on Sexism in English Abstract Sexism is engrained in the language people speak all over the world. English, one of the most popular languages in the world is no exception. The phenomenon of sexism is not only a linguistic one, but basically, a social issue that is far more notice-worthy than the public would have thought. Demonstrations of Sexism in English are too numerous to be totally covered. This paper illustrates demonstrations from the viewpoints of word-structure,Read MoreBlack Naturalism and Toni Morrison: the Journey Away from Self-Love in the Bluest Eye8144 Words   |  33 Pagesmy definition of naturalism in African American fiction is more liberal than the naturalism Bell describes and includes literature that could also be characterized as having strong pastoral romantic, mythic or folkloric elements. In the following analysis of The Bluest Eye, I will attempt to illustrate that the naturalism in African American fiction has been adapted and altered to such a significant extent to justify a new lit erary genre that includes the following themes: the importance of culturalRead MoreOne Significant Change That Has Occurred in the World Between 1900 and 2005. Explain the Impact This Change Has Made on Our Lives and Why It Is an Important Change.163893 Words   |  656 PagesE SSAYS ON TWENTIETH-C ENTURY H ISTORY In the series Critical Perspectives on the Past, edited by Susan Porter Benson, Stephen Brier, and Roy Rosenzweig Also in this series: Paula Hamilton and Linda Shopes, eds., Oral History and Public Memories Tiffany Ruby Patterson, Zora Neale Hurston and a History of Southern Life Lisa M. Fine, The Story of Reo Joe: Work, Kin, and Community in Autotown, U.S.A. Van Gosse and Richard Moser, eds., The World the Sixties Made: Politics and Culture