The Impact of Charles Darwin′s
"Origin of Species" on Mid-Victorian Society

Contents

I. Introduction

II. The theory of evolution

III. Darwin′s theory and religion

IV. Social uses and abuses of Darwinian thought

V. Conclusion

Bibliography

I. Introduction

In her study on early Victorian science, Susan Faye Cannon remarks that the publication of Charles Darwin′s ′Origin of Species′ in 1859 marked a break with the tradition of the perception of "science" by Victorian society. According to Cannon, ′Darwinian′ science shattered the alliance between science and religion as it was denied "normative status by moralists and theologians".
At this point, I shall not discuss the question, whether Darwin′s theory indeed represented any significant threat to the concept of "science as norm of truth", developed by Cannon as characteristic feature of the early Victorian period. Nevertheless, scholars and contemporaries recognised the work of Darwin as a turning point, not only in relation to the development of science but to the expression and modification of social, political and religious concepts as well.
The vast bulk of Literature on Darwin and Darwinism corroborates the fact that the ′Origin′ did have a significant impact and still represents one of the major achievements of western science. The term "Darwinian Revolution" is used by scholars to illustrate the tremendous impact of the Darwinian theory on science and society.
The main purpose of this essay will be to ask whether the ′Origin′ was revolutionary and to which extent it can be viewed in terms of fundamental change. Therefore I have to examine the theory, part of the scientific and public debate in the aftermath of its publication and the structure of "Victorian" society by asking the question: Why became Darwinian thought (or what was associated with it) so widely discussed, glorified or condemned? Is it possible to draw conclusions out of the theory and the public debate which might lead to a better understanding of a certain "Victorian" world view?
The following chapters will be an attempt to grasp the "spirit" of mid Victorian society by discussing the impact of Darwin′s theory. Certainly, this can only be a broad overview, focusing on major subjects as religion and morality, science and scientific thought and the way in which Darwin′s work was used to justify political and social concepts of the time.

II. The theory of evolution

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