Lamarck V Darwin

By Paula McDonald

Lamarck versus Darwin, or Lamarck versus natural selection?
When these two heavy weights of evolutionary theory recently stepped into
the debating ring, punters were predicting a heated, verbal tussle. In actuality they
witnessed a Darwinian whitewash.
Jean Baptiste de Lamarck and Charles Darwin both contend that life on Earth
does not exist as it is today due to the benevolence of some higher being but is, in
fact, the result of evolutionary change (Understanding Evolution, n.d.). While the
two men agree on this, it is the finer details about how this occurs that saw them
go head to head in a battle of wits and theoretical one-upmanship during the recent
great debate.
The resolution that acquired traits can be inherited was presented initially
to Lamarck, who was debating for the affirmative. Lamarck opened with the
assertion that a creatures internal drive and desire is what directs a species toward
greater complexity, and that this occurs by way of an inheritance of acquired
characteristics (AAAS, 2014). Lamarck went on to present the giraffe as his case
in point; suggesting that a desire to reach higher leaves caused the giraffe to stretch
up, leading to an elongated neck, which was then passed on to their offspring. In
the telling, Lamarcks theory presented as quite a sound, reasonable explanation.
Enter Mr Darwin with his rebuttal!
Charles Darwin for the opposition emphatically refuted Lamarcks theory
about inheritance of acquired characteristics by suggesting that an individuals
desires or efforts have no impact on the process of evolution. He put Lamarcks
theory to the test by recounting a ghastly tale of his unfortunate grandfathers
accidentally amputated fingers. This concluded with an amusing show of evidence
that, thankfully, the inheritance of acquired traits theory had clearly not applied to
himself.
Mr Lamarck then countered with the suggestion that fossils provided clear
evidence of evolution, and therefore also supported his own beliefs about the
inheritance of acquired traits. It was at this point that Lamarcks argument began
to lose steamand Darwin began to hit his stride.

Darwin declared that natural selection not inheritance of acquired traits was
responsible for evolutionary changes in living things (AAAS, 2014). He went on
to explain that variations within species are the driving force behind evolution, as
these variations, or differences, often provide individuals with an advantage. It is
assumed that these advantages see creatures better adapted to access food,
conceal themselves from predators, or survive in temperate climates (Education
Services Australia, 2013).
Darwins coup de grace was to use Lamarcks illustration of the giraffe to
prove his own theories about adaptation and natural selection; deftly explaining
that advantageous characteristics (such as a giraffes long neck) provide a better
chance of survival, resulting in that advantageous trait been passed along to its
offspring (Prescott, 2008).
Charles Darwin was clearly the winner on this occasion, with his theory of
natural selection proving too hard to beat. On speaking with Mr Darwin on
commencement of the debate, I questioned him on his certainty about the
inaccuracies in his opponents theory. His response? If birds evolved simply from
a desire to take to the sky, wouldnt man have sprouted wings by now?





Mr Darwin proudly displays his winning trophy