Why Didn't Charles Darwin Call His Theory “The Theory of Evolution?

Nefise Barak

Article Details

Why Didn't Charles Darwin Call His Theory “The Theory of Evolution?

Authors:

Nefise Barak

Publisher:

Bolu Abant Izzet Baysal University

Main Topics:

Bilgi ve Bilim Sosyolojisi

Journal:

Abant Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi Vol.25 Issue 1, pp.558-567

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

3/2025

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001341936

pISSN:

2757-9425

Keywords:

Abstract:

 Charles Darwin called his theory  Descent with Modifications, sometimes called Natural Selection Theory, but not the Theory of Evolution. Darwin did not consciously call his theory the Theory of Evolution, and rarely even used the word evolution. However, today, despite him, we call Darwins theory the Theory of Evolution. This study seeks to understand why Darwin did not refer to his theory as the Theory of Evolution, and why we currently refer to Darwins theory as the Theory of Evolution. In this context, firstly Darwins own theory will be briefly given. Then, the term evolution and the changes in its meaning will be examined. Secondly, Herbert Spencers thoughts on evolution will be focused on. Spencer employed the term evolution comprehensively, encompassing all organic transformation. He played a pivotal role in establishing evolution as the name for Darwins theory.

 Charles Darwin called his theory  Descent with Modifications, sometimes called Natural Selection Theory, but not the Theory of Evolution. Darwin did not consciously call his theory the Theory of Evolution, and rarely even used the word evolution. However, today, despite him, we call Darwins theory the Theory of Evolution. This study seeks to understand why Darwin did not refer to his theory as the Theory of Evolution, and why we currently refer to Darwins theory as the Theory of Evolution. In this context, firstly Darwins own theory will be briefly given. Then, the term evolution and the changes in its meaning will be examined. Secondly, Herbert Spencers thoughts on evolution will be focused on. Spencer employed the term evolution comprehensively, encompassing all organic transformation. He played a pivotal role in establishing evolution as the name for Darwins theory.

 Charles Darwin called his theory  Descent with Modifications, sometimes called Natural Selection Theory, but not the Theory of Evolution. Darwin did not consciously call his theory the Theory of Evolution, and rarely even used the word evolution. However, today, despite him, we call Darwins theory the Theory of Evolution. This study seeks to understand why Darwin did not refer to his theory as the Theory of Evolution, and why we currently refer to Darwins theory as the Theory of Evolution. In this context, firstly Darwins own theory will be briefly given. Then, the term evolution and the changes in its meaning will be examined. Secondly, Herbert Spencers thoughts on evolution will be focused on. Spencer employed the term evolution comprehensively, encompassing all organic transformation. He played a pivotal role in establishing evolution as the name for Darwins theory.

 Charles Darwin, kendi teorisini Evrim Teorisi değil Değişiklerle Türeyiş Teorisi olarak, yer yer de Doğal Seçilim Teorisi olarak adlandırmıştır. Darwin, bilinçli bir biçimde Evrim Teorisi dememiş, hatta evrim kelimesini bile neredeyse kullanmamıştır. Oysa biz bugün, Darwinin teorisini, ona rağmen, Evrim Teorisi olarak adlandırıyoruz. Bu çalışma, Darwinin kendi teorisini neden Evrim Teorisi olarak adlandırmadığını ve bizim bugün Darwinin teorisini neden Evrim Teorisi olarak adlandırdığımızı konu edinir. Bu minvalde ilk olarak Darwinin kendi teorisine kısaca yer verilecektir. Devamında evrim terimi ve bu terimdeki anlam değişimleri incelenecektir. İkinci olarak Herbert Spencerın evrim düşüncesine odaklanılacaktır. Spencer, evrim terimini oldukça geniş bir anlamda tüm organik değişimi kapsayan bir biçimde kullanmış ve evrimin Darwinin teorisinin adı haline gelmesinde büyük bir rol oynamıştır.

Article Details

Why Didn't Charles Darwin Call His Theory “The Theory of Evolution?

Authors:

Nefise Barak

Publisher:

Bolu Abant Izzet Baysal University

Main Topics:

Bilgi ve Bilim Sosyolojisi

Journal:

Abant Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi Vol.25 Issue 1, pp.558-567

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

3/2025

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001341936

pISSN:

2757-9425

Charles Darwin

Evolution

Herbert Spencer

Progress

Development.Charles Darwin

Evrim

Herbert Spencer

İlerleme

Gelişim.

Issues

Article Details

Authors: Nefise Barak

Publisher: Bolu Abant Izzet Baysal University

Main Topics: Bilgi ve Bilim Sosyolojisi

Journal: Abant Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi Vol.25 Issue 1, pp.558-567

Document Type: Article

Publication Date: 3/2025

Document Language: Turkish

Document ID (Org No.): 2001341936

pISSN: 2757-9425

Issues

Authors:

Nefise Barak

Publisher:

Bolu Abant Izzet Baysal University

Main Topics:

Bilgi ve Bilim Sosyolojisi

Journal:

Abant Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi Vol.25 Issue 1, pp.558-567

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

3/2025

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001341936

pISSN:

2757-9425