Introduction
Alfred Russell Wallace and Charles Darwin independently discovered the theory of natural selection. This paper is focused on Wallaces position on evolution as it analyses the context under which he wrote the book, the objectives of the book and whether or not these objectives were met.
Wallace always had doubts about sexual selection, and finally concluded that natural selection alone was insufficient to explain the set of distinctive human characteristics. Among these characteristics, the size and complexity of the human brain found in all existing human races took a centre stage. Therefore, Wallace invokes the role of “Higher Intelligence” to explain the nature of human species.
Discussion
The Origin of Human Races
Wallace delivered this famous paper to a meeting of anthropological society of London on 1 March 1964. As at that time, there were differences in opinion among the anthropologists on the nature and the origin of man. The critical question that Wallace sought to answer was on whether the various forms under which man existed then were primitive, or derived from preexisting forms.
In other words, was man of one or many species? Anthropologists had different opinions about the issue because one party maintained that man is a species on its own and are essentially one, which all variations are just temporary resulting from different physical and moral conditions that surround them.
However, other group of anthropologists argued that man is in a group of many species, each of which is practically unchangeable. Wallace picked the strong points of those supporting and the strong points of those opposing he combined them and justified both using relevant evidence thus eliminating the con fusion. Wallace argues that
” ….as the competing races by which they are surrounded, the climate, the vegetation, or the animals which serve them for food, are slowly changing, they must undergo a corresponding change in their structure, habits, and constitution, to keep them in harmony with the new conditions–to enable them to live and maintain their numbers. But man does this by means of his intellect alone; which enables him with an unchanged body still to keep in harmony with the changing universe.” (Wallace 1864, p. 167).
Significance of the Theories of Natural Selection
From the theory of natural selection, Wallace arrives at three conclusions. He argued that the differences of every kind in species are hereditary and that the offspring of every animal may vary more or less in all parts of their composition. In addition, that the environment or the earth in which these animals live is continuously changing and due to the changes, animals that survive must be brought into harmony with their environment at each successive period.
According to Wallace (1864, p.168) it is true that the animals change their physical and internal make up to conform with the changes in the environment in which they live. However, various critical questions are evident. Can the theory be used without any doubt in explaining mans origin? Alternatively, is there anything in peculiar to humans that makes this theory inadequate in trying to explain his origin?
Wallace notes that “natural selection” has major effect on animals because of their self-dependence and isolation. A minor ailment could end in death because it renders the animal powerless hence more vulnerable to its enemies. If for instance, a deer is sick and has not had food for a day or two, and a lion then pursues the herd, the deer is caught. A lion in the same measure cannot be able to source for its own food when it falls sick, if the illness persists, soon dies of starvation.
According to Wallace (1864, p.166), for animals, there is no mutual assistance, no division of labor and each must fulfill all the conditions of its existence, and therefore, “natural selection” offers them a level playing field. Man is regarded as a superior being because of his ability to use the brain, understand and empathize.
Even in the most primitive of societies the sick are provided at least with food, there is division of labor, the strongest and the less healthy hunt or collect fruits and the food is divided or exchanged for other goods. By so doing, the action of natural selection is checked. Because of these, physical disadvantages, weaknesses and less intelligent eye sight become less important and instead, mental and moral qualities takes the lead in the well being of the race.
Unlike humans, when any change in an animals environment necessitates an animal to alter its food, clothing or its weapons, it can only do so by subsequent change in its external structure and internal organization with natural selection automatically coming into play (Fichman 2002, p.125).
On the contrary, man under similar circumstances will utilize his intelligence to make sharper spears and apply new hunting skills to kill his prey.as man became more social and began having more human feelings against his fellow humans, his physical appearance became more or less the same and instead the changes were transferred to his brain and his morals.
His body would remain almost stationary and his mind will face many challenges that his body had overcome. The races would then advance and improve because of the discipline of unfertile soils and harsh weather conditions. Under such influence, a new society emerges that is stronger, more provident and more social (Fichman 2002, p. 126).
Wallace gave priority to the origin of man as an intellectual and moral being. After considering certain unique human characteristics, he arrives at the conclusion that, in contrast to all other existing species, human beings have been created by a higher intelligence or mental power. He invokes the concept of a power or a higher intelligence in order to account for the origin of the human species as expressed in his words.
“However, there came into existence a being in whom that subtle force we term mind, became of greater importance than his mere bodily structure. Though with a naked and unprotected body, this gave him clothing against the varying inclemency’s of the seasons” (Wallace 1864, p. 164).
Conclusion
Wallace intended to show that natural selection was not an all-sufficient cause of the evolution of man-particularly as regards to the higher human faculties; moral, artistic and logical reasoning. In addition, to Wallace, natural selection is a means by which animals change in order to conform to the changes their environment.
Wallace viewed the evolution of man from two perspectives; his ability to stand upright made it easier for his hands to carry out the instructions of the brain and he gave greater weight to the human brain in explaining the origin of man.
List of References
Fichman, M 2002, Evolutionary theory and Victorian culture, Humanity Books, New York.
Wallace, A R 1864, The origin of human races and the antiquity of man deduced from the theory of natural selection 1864, Alfred Russel Wallace Classic Writings, vol.2, no. 6, pp.93-170.