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HMS Beagle Voyage
In 1831, Darwin set off on a five year voyage around the world on the HMS Beagle, basically right after completing college. On his voyage he collected various specimens, studying plants, fossils and birds. The areas he traveled that most interested him were the Pacific Islands and the Galapagos Archipelago, as well as South Africa. https://youtu.be/dfsUz2O2jww -
Darwinism
Before his theory of evolution became relevant in the philosophy of science, other naturalists generally believed that all species either existed at the start of the world, or were created over time. In general, they weren't wrong; Darwin however, explained that species did evolve into new species over time from other species, given the theory of the "survival of the fittest," where only the species able to evolve to their surroundings would make it out alive. -
The Origin of Species
After returning home from his voyage, Darwin studied his recordings and collection of specimens, and published his book "The Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection." He discovered that species who were able to adapt to their changing environment were able to survive and reproduce, while those who couldn't did not survive. He noted on his discovery of similarities and variations in similar species in different locations, leading him to believe that species evolve from common ancestors. -
Proof of the Theory of Evolution and His contribution to the Philosophy of Science
In the next century, DNA studies provided further scientific evidence of Darwin's findings. The fields of science in geology, genetics and paleoanthropology (non existent until at least 1905) fill in the gaps that further prove Darwin's theories to be correct. Darwin at the time wasn't aware, but there were fossils found of the first humans, and given the changes in the physical appearance of humans just shows how his theories were accurate, that the same species evolved over time.
