Charles Darwin

I think Chuck gets a lot of guff from people who see the process of evolution as eliminating any idea that there is a spiritual realm also. I don't buy in to that conflict. Yes, his ideas were revolutionary and important because they make us ponder further.

I only gave him 3 stars because 2 years after 'the origin of species' was published, the first archaeopteryx fossil was found. It's a bird with teeth, or a feathered flying reptile. Take your pick. After that thing was found, only a moron would believe that macro evolution was a fallacy. Then in 1889 the remains of something called a 'Triceratops' were discovered. It was a horned, beaked dinosaur with feathery spines all over its body. Obviously, a distant relative of the canary.

The proper study of man is nature, because people are animals! Darwin’s theory tells us more about nature than any other theory. It has served as a corrective for humanism, opened up the sciences of biology and ecology, and helped us to understand the world as it is: dynamic, competitive, and producing order and beauty out of complex (and partly random) events through selection. Unfortunately, biological evolution is still imperfectly understood more than a century later, but Darwin's powerful conceptual tool has found applications in physics, medicine, and elsewhere.

Whether you believe in his theories or not, you cannot deny that Charles Darwin remains to this day a very influential person.

I will be the first to say I have not read his works thoroughly, but what I have read, I think those who talk about Darwinian Evolution say things that Darwin would never say. I think he still had a lot of questions about his own theories. His theories have been very destructive in society. Hitler believed in different races, he thought the jews were of an inferior race. I do not believe in races. If I did believe there were different races, I would have to ba racist. After all If we developed or evolved at different rates, we therefore would have to be at a different evolutionary levels. Some races being stronger, brainier or closer to being a spirit being without a body. There is much more evidence for a creator than there is for life to evolve from non-life material. The ultimate tragedy is that the uninformed will believe Darwinian Evolution without really understanding the problems associated with it and that makes it that much more difficult to turn them to the author of li... Read more

He did a LOT more than just come up with the theory of evolution.He collected an incredible amount of information on various flora and fauna,risking life and limb traveling to far-flung places by boat,working tirelessly.He theorized on everything from coral formation,geology,genetics and a host of subjects related to natural science.All of this in spite of the fact that he was a sickly man.His contribution to science is of great magnitude.

Cheers to you Mr. Darwin. Evolution seems like it has had a large impact on science and the decline of religious based faith. Good work.

Definately an influential person. Real sincere in his beliefs and fastidious in his research. Was quite good at his job, did the best he could with the knowledge to be found at the time. However, Science is now pointing AWAY from his theories. As Larry Hatfield stated in Science Digest: "Scientists who utterly reject evolution may be one of our fastest growing controversial minorities…however, many of the scientists supporting this position hold impressive credentials in science. " The Miller -Urey experiment has been redone under correct circumstances this time, and proven false. Using correct atmospheric components; recreating the Miller-urey experiment creates formaldehyde. Not life. Darwins tree of life has been proven wrong by fossil records. Ironically, the very fossils that Darwin thought would redeem him. The Cambrian explosion has generated extensive scientific debate. The seemingly rapid appearance of fossils in the “Primordial Strata” was noted as early as the mid 19th ... Read more

Stunningly ignorant reviews. The best research has observations along with solid theories that go against original intent. Darwin wanted science to prove his theological leaning. Didn't happen kids- truth's a bitch. His discourse on the eye is fascinating. . . actually, his work was revolutionary because it seemed to foreshadow some of the wonderful scientific advances of the 20th century. Darwin also freely admits the gaps that exist in his work (he didn't have the benefit of late 20th or early 21st century technology.) But at present, his hypothesis is supported by evidence, hated by the religious, and admired for its fearlessness. This is an easy five because it affected (and continues to affect) Western Civilization. He was born of the same day as Abraham Lincoln. . .but anyone with three brain cells in his or her head knows who the real emancipator of freedom and discourse from dogma was. . . To think that people still believe the tale of his 'deathbed repentance' again... Read more

I dunno, for all the fuss and bother about his theories, I don't think that in the ever changing landscape of science that you can nail down any hard facts. He had some fair ideas too, but his work has been used in a manner that I think he'd find distasteful and whack atheists and fundies alike are guilty. Both parties might note that he died a Christian, too.

This man change the way humanity saw itself forever. He contributed to a huge paradigm shift in human consciousness and offered humanity a way of a the dark age of relgious ignorance and backward dogma.

I gave him a one because I do not agree with his theory.

one of the worst man ever to walk the earth.denied God and came made came up with the idea of evolution which is a herecy.

IJR said it best. Whether we eventually prove him right or wrong isn't the point. The point is; he offered us a theory and years later we're still debating over the ideas that he had. He's shaped a way of thinking, he's helped shape aspects of science etc.

Nice LadyShark, sniffing crack, i've never done drugs but i've only heard of smoking crack due to it's consistency. Darwin was a great mind and used it (unlike most people who aren't even given the first part). His science...is science. Fact...is fact. Faith...is just faith. Get logical.

he discovered masses about the history of life, even going as far as to suggest a meaning of life.

Deserves 5 stars for his impact, although evolution as a biological theory dates back to the Greeks, particularly the Ionian folk.

When I took a position as a visiting instructor at a univeristy in Tokyo, I was assigned to a university owned 3 bedroom apartment with two other Americans. For the first 2 1/2 weeks that I was there I had jet lag. It didn't matter what time I went to bed; I kept waking up at 4 a.m. One of my roommates was a gentleman who was about half a dozen years my senior and a research scientist. He was a very well read and knowledgeable guy who had to heavily medicate himself to get about 3 hours of sleep a night; his mind was that active ... a real "screwball type" genius. The bottom line was, we spent a lot of time those first couple of weeks carrying on all manner of conversation in the early morning hours. During one of our lengthy before-the-crack-of-dawn conversations, I mentioned to him that I believed that Emile Durkheim is one of the unsung true geniuses of the last couple of centuries. He was the first individual to bring hardcore statistical analysis to all manner of social beh... Read more

Evolution is a fact. The theory is about how it happened. Only give Darwin 4 stars because it is a misconception that evolution started with him.

Great scientist, but had wacko theories.

One of the most brilliant scientific minds. And no beancook, his theorys will never pass, they will be improved upon.

Evolution just is. What makes more sense? That animals adapt to changing climatological conditions over millions of years, or that some guy with a white beard waives a magic wand and poof! it's all just here, like it was some kind of kit he bought at Wal-Mart (some assembly required). Get a grip.

Very influential, but science is finally proving that evolution hasn't a leg to stand on. I can't wait for the theory to be thrown out. Sorry Charlie.

Very influential, but for the wrong reasons. In my opinion, he is way off!

An excuse for people who hate organized religion? Someone has been sniffing too much crack....... If you like to read about science, You will be interested to hear what Darwin has to say.

He's an excuse for people who hate organized religion. Can't argue with the theory, it's the best we have.

I mean from what I hear about him, he isn't an all around bad guy. It is just this evolution thing........ I don't believe it..... and no offence to anyone who does believe it....... but I think it is crap and don't know how anyone else could believe in it. The only reason he got a 2 was because I hear he was an okay guy.

Only a theory and this will eventually pass.