A Comparative Analysis of Lamarck's and Darwin's

Theories of Evolution

Jeanly F. Patatag

Cebu Technological University - Main Campus

College Of Education

Science and Technology Society

Darlene Keziah Grace Recamara - Molato

October 25, 2024

 A Comparative Analysis of Lamarck's and Darwin's Theories of Evolution

The theories of Jean-Baptiste Lamarck and Charles Darwin have played crucial roles in
shaping our understanding of the mechanisms of evolution. Both theories propose explanations for
the origins of biodiversity and the adaptation of organisms to their environments. In this critique
paper, we will compare and contrast Lamarck's and Darwin's theories, highlighting their key
differences, implications, and the relevance of each theory in contemporary evolutionary biology.

Lamarck's theory, often referred to as Lamarckism, posits that variations in organisms occur
in response to environmental changes. These changes are believed to lead to the increased use of
certain organs and the disuse of others, ultimately resulting in the development or degeneration of
these organs. Lamarckism famously illustrates this idea with the example of giraffes, suggesting that
the elongation of their necks was driven by a need to reach higher branches for food. Additionally,
Lamarckism implies that all acquired variations are heritable and will be passed on to the next
generation.

One of the central criticisms of Lamarckism is its failure to provide a mechanism for the
inheritance of acquired characteristics. While it is apparent that organisms can adapt to their
environments within their lifetimes, this adaptation does not necessarily result in changes to an
organism's genetic makeup, and therefore, acquired traits are not passed on to offspring.

In contrast to Lamarck, Charles Darwin proposed a theory of evolution based on natural

selection. According to Darwin's theory, variations occur naturally within individuals of a species, and
the struggle for existence plays a crucial role in the process of evolution. In this view, only individuals
with advantageous variations are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing those beneficial traits
to their descendants.

Darwin's theory, as exemplified by the famous observation of the finches on the Galápagos
Islands, emphasizes that adaptations are not driven by a conscious effort to change in response to the
environment but are the result of random variations that confer a selective advantage in specific
conditions.

Lamarck's theory posits that acquired characteristics are inherited, which has been widely
discredited by modern genetics. The mechanism of inheritance, as elucidated by Gregor Mendel and
confirmed through contemporary genetic research, supports Darwin's view that inherited variations
are based on genetic mutations rather than acquired traits (Hartl, 2000).

His theory relies on the direct influence of the environment on an organism's traits. While
the environment does exert selective pressure, it does not directly induce changes in an organism's
traits during its lifetime, as Lamarck proposed. Rather, the environment acts on existing variations
within a population, as outlined by Darwin's theory (Gould, 2002).

Furthermores, Lamarck's theory lacks a concrete mechanism for the generation of variations
within populations. In contrast, Darwin's theory provides a robust explanation for the origin of
variations through random mutations and the selective pressures of the environment (Mayr, 2001).

In summary, Lamarck's theory, with its emphasis on the inheritance of acquired

characteristics, has largely been discredited in contemporary evolutionary biology. Charles Darwin's
theory of natural selection, on the other hand, has stood the test of time and forms the foundation of
our current understanding of the mechanisms of evolution. While Lamarck's ideas contributed to the
early discourse on evolution, they were superseded by Darwin's more comprehensive and empirically
supported theory, which remains central to the field of biology and our understanding of the natural
world.
 References

Futuyma, D. J. (2009). Evolution. Sinauer Associates

https://adams.marmot.org/Record/.b42131005

Gould, S. J. (2002). The Structure of Evolutionary Theory. Harvard University Press

https://www.hup.harvard.edu/catalog.php?isbn=9780674006133

Hartl, D. L. (2000). A Primer of Population Genetics. Sinauer Associates

https://www.nature.com/articles/6888273

Mayr, E. (2001). What Evolution Is. Basic Books.

https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/ernst-mayr/what-evolution-
is/9780465044269/?lens=basic-books