Who was Charles Darwin and why does he remain a controversial figure? - presentation

Charles Darwin was a British naturalist, born in 1809, who profoundly influenced the scientific community with his theory of evolution by natural selection. His seminal work, 'On the Origin of Species,' challenged the long-standing belief that life was created by a supernatural being or God. Instead, Darwin proposed that all species, including humans, evolved over billions of years from common ancestors. The process he described, natural selection, suggests that individuals best suited to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing on advantageous traits to their offspring. This theory implied that species could change over time, and new species could emerge from ancestral forms, such as reptiles evolving into birds and apes into humans.

Darwin remains a controversial figure because his ideas conflicted with the traditional views held by many at the time, which were deeply rooted in religious doctrine. The concept of evolution suggested a naturalistic approach to the development of life on Earth, which was at odds with the creationist perspective. This led to heated debates between those who supported Darwin's scientific explanations and those who upheld religious interpretations of life's origins. Despite the controversy, Darwin's theory of evolution has become a fundamental principle in biology, providing a framework for understanding the diversity of life on our planet. However, the debate over his ideas continues in some circles, reflecting the ongoing tension between scientific and religious perspectives on human existence and the history of life on Earth.