11min chapter

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Darwin’s Daring Idea with Richard Dawkins

StarTalk Radio

CHAPTER

Delays in Discovering Evolution by Natural Selection

The chapter explores the delay in the discovery of evolution by natural selection before the middle of the 19th century, despite notable intellectual achievements of individuals like Newton and Leibniz. It delves into theories by Ernst Meyer, the influence of essentialism from Aristotle and Plato, and biases in observing nature that hindered the acceptance of evolutionary concepts. The conversation also discusses the challenge of moving away from the idea of nature's perfection and the notion of digital information being the real survivor over generations.

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