Argumentative Essay On Human Evolution

Improved Essays
Evolution has received mostly negative feedback from society, especially from non-scientists. Perhaps, evolution is controversial because it speaks to the beginning of humanity. Controversy originated from individuals’ religious backgrounds and faith in a higher being but they do not consider the definition of evolution. Noted by David Jacobs—Professor of Animal Evolution and Systematics at the University of Cape Town, non-scientists believe evolution states that human evolved from baboons. However, evolution only claims that humans and other non-human primates share a common ancestor (Jacobs, 2015).

Before Biology 1114, an evolutionary debate would have never crossed my mind, let alone discussing whether or not human behaviors are controlled
…show more content…
Two vital components of evolution are an organism’s ability to survive and reproduce. Differences in an individual may be random, but the ability of an organism to survive and reproduce is not up to chance. Inherited traits more suited for a particular environment will allow individuals to thrive and flourish. Resources are finite and natural selection occurs because individuals are forced to compete for resources in order to stay alive. The ability to survive and reproduce goes hand in hand as shown in the following example. Reproduction in males is limited because of the access to females, however female reproduction comes to a halt because of finite resources. Luckily, males can gain access to females by providing vital resources for reproduction. Thus, competition is generated among males for resources. As a result of evolution and its mechanism, the claim of evolution shaping an individual’s behavior is proven.

Thomas Bouchard and John Loehlin are also supporters of evolution shaping an individual’s behavior. The duo argues in favor of evolution by mentioning Darwin’s Dangerous Idea, which states that personality traits—as well as human behaviors—are a reflection of humans hosting the evolutionary processes of natural selection and sexual selection (Dennett, 1995). Both evolutionary processes are needed in order
…show more content…
J. Merritt Emlen notes three mechanisms that show a strong correlation between natural selection—or evolution, and human behavior. First, classical selection occurs when beneficial genes are selected before they are chosen as a result of environmental effects (Fisher, 1958; Hamilton, 1964; Smith, 1964). Natural selection then acts on a group rather than an individual (MacArthur, Lewontin & Orians, in press; Smith, 1964; Wright, 1955). The type of selection explained only acts on a population genetically isolated, like pre-Neolithic brands of people who had to survive and reproduce amongst similar pre-Neolithic people (Emlen,

Related Documents

  • Improved Essays

    There has always been much controversy over your theory of evolution; a theory that has lasted or almost 160 years, with not a single piece of evidence presented that disproves the fundamental validity of that theory. In fact, it is being supported time and time again by fossil records. However, thats not to say your theory is perfect. The point of a theory is not to be perfect. The ideas you have presented, however, are the best and most scientifically grounded ideas we have about the way species evolve and change.…

    • 503 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Victorian England was a radically different era that centered on very traditional roles, teleological beliefs, fear of controversy, and scientific caution. Therefore, the emergence of Darwin’s theory of evolution was considered very radical, and more specifically the concept of natural selection. The basic premise of natural selection is that the organisms that are more suited to thrive in their environment will be the most likely to survive over their competition, and subsequently this improves the species as a whole over years of gradual progression. Behavior can also be shaped by natural selection.…

    • 588 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Decent Essays

    A majority of childhood was giving librarians hell as I was striding through the corridors of Boston’s Hyde Park library, where my father consistently took me as a young boy in hopes to inspire me. As I ran around, I knock over a bookshelf and I noticed a book fell open with the picture of universal stars, . I seek to investigate more throughout future research. My father’s goal for my inspiration was reached.…

    • 494 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Decent Essays
  • Decent Essays

    Individuals Evolve-This topic is very interesting to talk about because, many people don’t believe in evolution. Evolution is among the most substantiated concepts in science and is the unifying theory of biological science. Furthermore, Evolution takes many generations for a population to undergo a dramatically change. The theory of evolution contends that humans and the world they inhabit evolved over a long period of time as a result of the gradual process of natural selection. In my opinion, the theory deems very convincing, with all the evidence supporting it that makes me believe in evolution until a new study is found.…

    • 194 Words
    • 1 Pages
    Decent Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Dupré's Evolution Theory

    • 1069 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Oranus Salimi 301201582 Psychology 385 02.01.16 Evolutionary psychology looks to explain that the way individuals behave and act are due to the way we, humans have evolved. In this paper, I summarize an article by Dupré, entitled “The Lure of the Simplistic,” and evaluate its claims regarding the evolution theory. Dupré claims that the evolution theory is too simplistic; thus this theory is restricted in terms of applicability, and alone is not sufficient in explaining human behaviours (2002). I conclude by arguing that although it may be true that humans behaviours are complex, I do not think that the evolution theory is as weak as Dupré portrays it to be. Most changes in behaviour can be explained by evolution partly…

    • 1069 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Natural selection can be seen as a force, and evolution as a result. Natural selection can be broken down into three concepts that require it to operate. The first is the constant struggle a species face for survival, which results in the continuation of the successful branches of the species, as the others become extinct. The second requirement is a varying population, these more successful branches only stem from mutated groups or individuals whose features become beneficial when faced with such struggles. The third concept is the presence of a mechanism that allows these mutations to be passed on to the next generation, thus evolving the species.…

    • 1075 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    For instance, evolution helped in creating the phylogenetic tree which established the linkage between different species and linked species to a common ancestor. However, people who liked the idea of humans being the dominant species did not favor the idea of “humans [descending] from ape-like primates and (worst yet) bacterial slime—” (Sampson, 217). Some people just cannot imagine the idea of bacteria relating to the superior human being. Although it is important to remember that various bacteria can be harmful to humans and can even kill them. Moreover, the favorable view of humans isn’t terrible, however, as Sagan states, “Our perceptions may be distorted by training and prejudice or merely because of the limitations of our sense organs, which of course, perceive directly but a small fraction of the phenomena of the world” (1).…

    • 610 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    In Charles Darwin’s On the Origin of Species, Darwin identifies two different methods of adaptation that take place amongst organic species: natural and artificial selection. Instinctually, one may declare something as “natural” when it has not been tampered by direct human interference, and “artificial” when human intervention has changed the physical condition of that original characteristic. When comparing the two, many tend to favor the ease of efficiency that artificial selection has to offer. Natural selection – on the other hand – takes hundreds of years before an actual adaptation becomes a competitive advantage.…

    • 1129 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    For many centuries, evolution has peaked the interest of many intellectual individuals, such as Charles Darwin and many others. Did we really evolve from chimpanzee or were we created by god. In addition, evolution has also challenged religious beliefs for those who believed in the divine right and its sole creator. This paper will explain what evolution is, how it can be both a fact and a theory, and how natural selections fits in the argument of evolution.…

    • 464 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    How did the life of this human race begin on this grateful planet? People have grown over time. Evolution is one of the most controversial topics to earn about. People must not be forced to be taught evolution. Humans must be entitled to their own beliefs.…

    • 989 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Niche Construction Theory

    • 1482 Words
    • 6 Pages

    The differences between Human Behavioral Ecology and Niche Construction Theory are few, but they are central to the theories themselves. Human Behavioral Ecology is a highly generalized theory that provides several different methods to analyze data; however, Niche Construction Theory uses a model that includes human agency. In Method and Theory in Paleoethnobotany, chapter 17 “Human Behavioral Ecology and Paleoethnobotany”, by Kristen Gremillion, and chapter 18, “Documenting Human Niche Construction in the Archaeological Record”, by Bruce Smith, delve into these two respective theories. Through comparing these two theories, I argue that Niche Construction Theory is the stronger of the two, as it considers real variables within its model of…

    • 1482 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Competition is one factor that influences evolution because as the environment restricts the resources available for the organisms, the animals find it harder to survive. Therefore, they compete with other members in that biome for better access to these resources that promise survival. The act of competing for quality resources is helping the population evolve for natural selection is selecting certain traits that have helped ensure better survival ability. Another role natural selection plays in evolution is through adaptation which is defined to as highly favorable traits that will eventually become widespread in the population, building new species-typical features. An example of this can be found in the animal kingdom more specifically polar bears.…

    • 1046 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Personal Ethics Statement: An Ethical Mind Allisa Bell Concordia University - Portland Personal Ethics Statement: An Ethical Mind There are several theories that can help to shape the ethical mind by providing a base perspective of what is ethical. My own ethical characteristics which include being honest, fair, compassionate, courageous, patient, and generous are based on my perspective of what is ethical which developed through learned behaviors and actions. According to Willard (n.d.), the ethical body can be examined by evaluating the personality, actions, and character of an individual. The personality, or mind, provides the base for ethical decision-making, but it is influenced by the ethical perspective that is adopted.…

    • 833 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    The primitively social behavior of Euglossa cordata (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Euglossini): a view from the perspective of kin selection theory and models of reproductive skew. The evolution of social behavior is perhaps one of the most controversial topics of biology, since the emergence of such behavior implies the evolution of altruistic traits that reduce the chance of reproduction (fitness) of individuals, through Natural Selection ( Freeman & Herron, 2009). Currently, there are models that link outputs for this apparent paradox, being the "Kinship Selection Theory" or "Theory of Fitness Inclusive", proposed by Hamilton (1964), which produced the greatest scientific impact (Queller & Strassmann, 1998; Keller & Chapuisat, 1999; Strassmann et al, 2011;. Liao, Rong & Queller, 2015).…

    • 1021 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    With the use of evolution, the Galapagos Island finches and the number of scientists and researchers adding to his discoveries, Darwin’s overall reputation was an excellent one. Despite this, whether or not Darwin’s use of the Galapagos Island finches as a base for his discovery of natural selection is still a controversial one. A number of religious institutions still discredit Darwin’s claims about evolution, naming it a myth, whereas scientists such as the Grants strongly believe in his theory and dedicate their research to discovering evidence to back up Darwin’s claim. Subsequently, depending on a person’s view on how we came to be will also determine the way that Darwin’s theories will resonate with…

    • 1049 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays