Darwin Character Analysis

(1809–1882) Charles Darwin was an English naturalist and biologist best known for his work in evolutionary biology, as put forth in his 1859 book On the Origin of Species. Darwin’s theory of natural selection (which is the foundation of his evolutionary theory) holds that organisms better adapted to their environment are more likely to survive, reproduce, and pass down those favorable genetic traits to their offspring. The process of natural selection thus causes species to change over time. Nietzsche is critical of Darwin’s theory of evolution because it presents humans as merely a continuation of animal species and, therefore, not special in their own right. Nietzsche’s concept of the “will to power” attempts to restore humans to an elevated status of greatness.