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The Theory of Evolution Simplified Revision Notes for GCSE OCR Religious Studies
Revision notes with simplified explanations to understand The Theory of Evolution quickly and effectively.
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9.1.2 The Theory of Evolution
Definition of Evolution:
Evolution is the process by which species adapt over time in response to their changing environment.
Importance of Adaptations:
Adaptations are crucial because they help animals and humans survive in the conditions they live in.
Evidence of Evolution:
Evidence of evolution comes from fossils. Fossils are preserved remains of organisms that lived millions of years ago.
Natural Selection:
- Evolution occurs due to natural selection. This is a process where species have variations. For example:
- Some goats may have long horns while others have short horns.
- The goats with traits better adapted to their environment (like longer horns) are more likely to survive and reproduce.
- The offspring of these goats will inherit the beneficial genes (such as long horns), making the trait more common over generations.
- Over time, these changes result in evolution.
Charles Darwin and Lamarck:
Charles Darwin:
- British naturalist who proposed the theory of biological evolution by natural selection.
He defined evolution as "descent with modification," the idea that species change over time, give rise to new species, and share a common ancestor.
Lamarck:
- Lamarck's theory involved two main ideas:
- A characteristic which is used more and more by an organism becomes bigger and stronger, and one that is not used eventually disappears.
- Any feature of an organism that is improved through use is passed to its offspring.
Comparison Between Lamarck and Darwin's Theories:
Lamarck
-
Lamarck believed that organisms changed out of need and after a change in the environment. Darwin
-
Darwin, however, suggested that organisms changed when they were born and before there was a change in the environment.
Differences Between Evolution and Religious Belief
1. Origins of Life
- Evolution: Explains the origins of species through natural selection and genetic mutations over millions of years. It is a scientific theory supported by evidence from fossils, genetics, and observations of living organisms.
Religious Belief: Often describes the origins of life as a deliberate act of creation by a divine being or beings. For example, in Christianity, the creation story in Genesis describes God creating the universe and all life within six days.
2. Mechanism of Change
- Evolution: Proposes that species change over time due to random mutations and environmental pressures, which can lead to the survival of the fittest and the gradual emergence of new species.
Religious Belief: Many religious beliefs hold that life forms were created in their current forms by a divine being and do not change fundamentally over time, though some religious interpretations allow for limited forms of change within species.
3. Role of Evidence
- Evolution: Relies on empirical evidence and the scientific method, which involves observation, experimentation, and the formulation of testable hypotheses.
Religious Belief: Often based on faith, sacred texts, and spiritual experiences, which are not subject to scientific testing in the same way as evolutionary theories.
4. Purpose and Meaning
- Evolution: Does not inherently assign purpose or meaning to life; it is a natural process driven by survival and reproduction.
Religious Belief: Often assigns a purpose or meaning to life, with many religions teaching that life is created for a specific reason, often related to the will or plan of a divine being.
5. View on Humanity
- Evolution: Suggests that humans are one species among many, evolved from common ancestors shared with other animals.
Religious Belief: Many religions view humans as unique, often created in the image of a divine being (e.g., the concept of Imago Dei in Christianity), with a special role or purpose in the universe.
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