Darwin’s Final Thoughts on the Origin of Life: From Evolutionary Biology to Evolutionary Chemistry

Evolutionary biology has come a long way since Darwin published On the Origin of the Species in 1859, so much so that we may have to start calling it evolutionary chemistry.  Joking aside, this fascinating glimpse into Darwin’s thoughts as they themselves evolved offers great insight into what the scientist could get away with publishing in his own day, against what he finally resolved to be the ultimate origin of life on earth – the creation of a single cell.  While he left room in the book for a creator, his later letter to Joseph Hooker omits to mention a deity – but having lived through the backlash that Origin provoked, perhaps he was wise not to publish his final thoughts (or words) on the subject.  Learn more about it in the fascinating video below, by BBC Science - but it is without a doubt a rejection of creationism.

We all have family trees – perhaps not dating back to a single cell in most cases(wouldn’t it be great if those genealogy sites went back that far!).  Regardless, you may be interested in learning a little more about the Darwin Dynasty – those who came before and after the great man Charles.