Questão 24
UNICAMP 2011
(UNICAMP - 2011 - 2ª fase)
Did Charles Darwin Delay in Publishing Origins of Species?
Charles Robert Darwin (1809-1882) began working on his theories of the Origins of Species in 1837; however his works were published more than twenty years after that. There is much speculation as to why it took so long to publish the groundbreaking book; some suggest that he was afraid to challenge the scientific community and upset the Church.
After first positing his ideas regarding how species underwent a “natural selection” and could possibly adapt over time, the text provoked adverted reactions from his intellectual mentors, Charles Lyell and Sir John Herschel.
Still, Darwin continued working on his theory; if he really was affected by the potential of a negative response to his ideas, some believe that it seems more plausible that he would have abandoned research completely. Throughout the period during which he was working on the Origins of Species, he published essays revealing his work in progress. Many now believe that Darwin did not delay publishing, but rather, took over two decades to complete his work.
(Adaptado de http://www.suite101.com/greatthinkers/4. Acesso em 21/09/2010.)
a) Que hipótese é levantada por algumas pessoas para justificar o fato de Darwin ter demorado mais de duas décadas para publicar Origins of Species?
b) Indique duas evidências que contrariam essa hipótese.
Gabarito:
Resolução:
a) A hipótese levantada por algumas pessoas para a demora na publicação é a de que Darwin tinha medo de desafiar a comunidade científica e aborrecer a igreja.
b) A primeira evidência seria a de que se Darwin estivesse realmente preocupado com as respostas da popoulação, teria abandonado sua pesquisa completamente. Já a segunda evidência seria a de que, ao longo do período em que Darwin trabalhava em "Origin of the Species", ele publicou diversos artigos revelando seu trabalho em progreso.