Darwin's theory of natural selection was influenced by the work of Thomas Malthus, an English political economist. In his "Essay on the Principle of Population", Thomas Malthus states that there are two fixed laws in nature: "food is necessary for the existence of man" and "passion between the sexes is necessary and will remain almost in its present state. State." (Malthus 39) Malthus theorized that population increases in a "geometric ratio" while the resources needed for subsistence increase in a "linear ratio." (Malthus 39) Therefore, mathematical principles reveal that growth The geometric pattern of human population will quickly outstrip available resources. Malthus further asserts that the two disparate forces of population and resources must be balanced and maintained at fairly equal levels. All species, plant and animal, have a natural tendency. to increase their numbers through reproduction In order to implement a balance between reproduction and resources, there must be natural controls on the population such as "seed wastage, disease and premature death" in plants and plants. animals, and “misery and vice” among humanity (Darwin 40), Darwin applies Malthusian principles to all species rather than humanity alone, and Malthusian logic serves as a basis. main basis for his monumental theory of natural selection. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why violent video games should not be banned”? Get the original essay In The Origin of Species, Darwin discusses species variation and notes that there is greater variation among species domesticated than in wild species of nature. . It then examines the conditions that contribute to variation, such as the struggle for existence. Darwin asserts that the struggle for existence is an inevitable consequence of the “high geometric powers of augmentation” described by Malthus (Darwin 97). However, rather than restricting the Malthusian idea of ​​geometric increase to human populations, Darwin extended it to all species in the animal and plant kingdoms, because all organic beings have the potential to increase exponentially in the absence carrying capacity and limiting factors such as predation. , illness and resource limitation. According to Darwin, the struggle for existence is ultimately the severe competition to which all organic beings are exposed due to a limitation of resources that cannot support all produced individuals. By nature, the goal of all organic beings is to survive and grow in numbers by leaving offspring. According to the law of nature, most organisms tend to grow in a geometric ratio, because most animals reproduce and most plants produce seeds. Although the rates of increase may differ, all organisms increase in numbers high enough to flood the entire planet with their single species (Darwin 109). Darwin presents several examples to demonstrate his ideas mathematically. Darwin states that “even man who reproduces slowly has doubled in twenty-five years, and at this rate, in a few thousand years there would literally be no room for his offspring” (Darwin 109). Additionally, Linnaeus calculated that if a plant produced only two seeds per year, within twenty years the original plant would lead to the production of a million plants. Darwin finally presents the example of the elephant. If an elephant produces three calves in its lifetime, there will be fifteen million elephants produced by the end of the fifthcentury. In addition to theoretical calculations, there are real cases in nature in which populations have increased enormously under certain circumstances such as favorable environmental conditions and seasons. Likewise, when species are placed in new environments, they can increase exponentially due to the absence of their natural predators. In these cases, populations exhibit a geometric rate of increase and lead to overpopulation. Additionally, organisms have developed evolutionary strategies that allow them to maximize the number of offspring that survive. In unstable environments where there is great destruction early in an organism's life, individuals produce large numbers of eggs to ensure that at least some survive. In comparison, in stable environments where individuals are able to protect their young, organisms produce a small number of eggs that they can protect and ensure their survival (Darwin 110). If populations were to increase geometrically, the planet would not be able to support all its inhabitants. Malthus firmly believed that "the human species would increase in the ratio of -1.2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, 128, 256, 512, etc." And keep like-1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, etc. In two and a quarter centuries the population would have a livelihood of 512 to 10, in three centuries 4096 to 13, and in two thousand years the difference would be almost incalculable, although production in that time would have increased. to an immense extent. (Malthus 40) Therefore, Malthus concludes that dangerous population growth must be hindered by limiting factors and certain measures such as late or no marriage and birth control. However, Darwin believed that all organic beings must struggle against limiting factors and destructive forces. “It is the doctrine of Malthus applied with multiple force to all the animal and vegetable kingdoms; for in this case there can be no artificial increase of food, nor any prudential restriction on marriage. (Darwin 97). Individuals must struggle to exist either within the same species, with members of other species, or against external environmental conditions. Darwin compares the force of nature to a "soft surface, with ten thousand sharp corners pressed together and driven inward by incessant blows, sometimes one corner being struck, then another with more force." (Darwin 111) Therefore, natural mechanisms exist to impose controls on all populations rather than the preventive controls socially instituted by Malthus, such as restricting marriage and childbirth. An organism's struggle for existence is an essential part of Darwin's explanation of variation and creation. of different species. Darwin's theory is based on the observation that there are slight variations between individuals and that more organisms are produced than can survive. Due to the production of more individuals than can survive, there is competition for resources and a struggle for existence, resulting in only a small number of individuals being able to survive. Thus, any variation providing the slightest advantage allowing individuals to survive and better adapt to their environment will be selected. These traits will be passed on to the offspring so that they also have a better chance of survival. The process of selection and inheritance will continue from generation to generation, producing new species and driving other species to extinction. The theory of natural selection is the cornerstone 31).