The Evolutionary Contributions of Thomas Malthus

I believe that the research and beliefs of Thomas Malthus directly influenced those of Charles Darwin and his theory of Evolution through Natural Selection. I believe this influence to have been positive in explaining the first step of how evolution works. In reference to a passage about Thomas Malthus found on a UCMP Berkeley Website ( http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/history/malthus.html ), he believed that plants and animals produce more offspring than what can survive. He believed the same about man and that poverty and famine were a divine intervention from god used to control the population. Although this belief differs from that of Darwin, the basic principals of it do relate, that all organisms have the potential of reproducing exponentially.

Darwin took that basic principal and refined it, saying that yes all organisms produce more offspring than what can survive, but the factors that lessen the populations are not divine, but natural. Darwin believed that natural causes, as well as genes, can shape a population over time so they adapt to their surroundings and he supported this by providing evidence through fossils.

I believe that Darwin could not have  developed his theory of natural selection without Thomas Malthus. I feel like over population is the first key to studying the need for natural selection. Although Darwin took his idea and refined it, I feel that Malthus' ideas are what sparked that whole realization that the populations can be affected by other sources.

In conclusion, I believe that the attitude of the church is what really delayed the eventual publication of his book On the Origin of Species because he really did worry about his reputation. According to the video "Who was Charles Darwin?" he was a well known and respectable man from a well known family. He know his ideas would challenge the church and the beliefs of other naturalists. However, with the help of his brother he decided to collect his thoughts and publish them through his book.