Tim Talmage

BUS 1050-401
Engh
April 27, 2016
My Renaissance

The economic history of the world is perhaps a stronger timeline than any when
seeking truth in the motives of civilization. Beginning with simple barter systems of the
most primitive human beings, followed by the creation of metal coins and paper notes in
regions of China, to the formation of banks in Europe, an observable shift in success of
survival and population have occurred over time. The way in which society has operated
and structured the economy disallows economics to be viewed as evolutionary. Repetition
of failures and the unresolved negative economic character traits have subjectively
portrayed both type one and two errors perpetually. Although the economy has grown
vastly into a complex entity, the flaws that lead to failure have remained as dominant
traits in the system today.
Charles Darwins theory of evolution is relatable to various fields beyond biology.
In observing selected, isolated species on the Galapagos Islands, Darwin found variation
in traits amongst finch species. Considering Thomas Malthuss theory of population
growth and its relation to subsistence, Darwin noticed changes and variance among
living organisms on a smaller scale. The necessity to survive among a growing
population created the development of more competitive characteristics. The
characteristics that provided an easier way of obtaining nourishment prevailed in terms of

reproductive success. Since survival is the instinct of life, it was observed that animal
species would seek more dominant mates to provide more opportune survival for their
offspring. Despite competitive theorists and the competition among emerging scientific
thinkers, Darwin published Natural Selection, the theory in which trait variation is
explained by genetic mutation over extended periods of time. Malthuss influence on
Darwin regarding the imperfectability of civilization became visualized in the Galapagos
Islands. Trait variation between finches nearly proved the concept of sexual selection and
the success rates of specific phenotypes.
The theory of natural selection has forever been a sensitive topic of debate even
in the current scientific state of the world. The ancient and conservative world of
religious thinkers has ignored the evidence that explains evolution and biological growth.
Christian influence upon modern society has concluded that human beings were created
in the image of an unseen deity known as God. Inherently, an unchanging and stagnant
perspective has been formulated to explain the structures in which Man has created.
Capitalism, for example, is a creation of God that must be utilized to support the
commandments of God himself. Although materialism and coveting wealth is looked
down upon in most religions, the essential understanding of the economy is simply
overlooked. The idea that human beings live a second, perfect and eternal life has
downplayed the importance of understanding the current flaws in the modern economy.
Webers Protestant Work Ethic was an explanation of economic and societal success
due to religion, which has simply been discredited and deemed bias by latter economists.
Stagnant, conservative perspectives on both biological and economic systems have
caused dismal cycles of non-progress throughout time.

Religion is not the only concept to blame for the imperfection of the economy.
Mankind has developed a taste for blood when considering profit. Take Henry David
Thoreau for example; a simple man from Massachusetts who spent time in the woods of
New England seeking a perspective of truth of survival and life itself. Thoreau
acknowledged that four primary ingredients were essential to human survival: fuel, food,
water and shelter. Although he collected tools and non-foraged goods amidst his stay in
the woods, Thoreau deemed material desires unnecessary and that tranquility and peace
of mind could be found with just the bare necessities. And although it may have been an
epiphany for Thoreau, an ancient Greek philosopher known as Epicurus described
tranquility in a similar fashion. Considering this, I find humanity has a perpetuating
problem with understanding wealth and profit. We, as highly intelligent animal beings on
this planet, have locked our perspectives in a tunnel vision of success based on those we
idolize. The Millennial generation has the largest percentage non-religious thinkers
than any other. Religion is simply no longer the only concept to blame, despite where it
has assisted our current position. The idolization of wealth may have been observed as
heaven within the generations before ours, yet here we stand, with market crashes and
constant ethical conflict during the most technologically advanced stage in history. I
began to think of the root of this selfish, individual approach to success and realized
everything has simply come full circle. In this era, we are taught at a young age to
compete, do well in school, stand out, be successful and acquire wealth that will be
passed down through generations. With this mindset, only a small percentage has
achieved what they deem to be true success and receive a hefty fraction of wealth. For the
rest of the world, the population size increases and each piece of pie decreases in value.

In the end, Thomas Malthus made claims that seem all too eerie. Our lifespan may
be longer and our buildings may be stronger, but the population is forever increasing
while disease and dismay become ever more apparent. The economy is certainly not
evolutionary, at least not so far. For now, money and wealth control the world and only
time can tell if the economy will actually grow or simply perpetuate.