Darwin's Achievements
As already noted, this is Darwin Day, a day on which we celebrate the birth of one of history's most influential scientists.
Olivia Judson writes a really eloquent piece today in the New York Times about the achievements of Charles Darwin, not just the scientific ones, but the personal ones. The Darwin we rarely encounter in popular accounts, but the real Darwin, was a man of many interests, but also a man of great compassion and grace.
I especially appreciated this reflection about Darwin's personal life:
She speaks as well of his overwhelming opposition to slavery, at a time when by and large people weren't all that bothered by it.
From that he gave himself over to his science, focusing on the minutiae of the flora and fauna of the earth, while also conceiving large scale explanations. He may not have been right about everything, and there are many elements of evolutionary theory that would have to wait for a new century. Still the achievement is amazing. But again more amazing is the person he was. It is too bad that some of my fellow Christians, in their zeal to defend God, have chosen to defame a man such as this.
Olivia Judson writes a really eloquent piece today in the New York Times about the achievements of Charles Darwin, not just the scientific ones, but the personal ones. The Darwin we rarely encounter in popular accounts, but the real Darwin, was a man of many interests, but also a man of great compassion and grace.
I especially appreciated this reflection about Darwin's personal life:
At the same time, he was a humane, gentle, decent man, a loving husband and father, and a loyal friend. Judging by his letters, he was also sometimes quite funny. He was, in other words, one of those rare beings, as likeable as he was impressive.
For example, after his marriage, Darwin worked at home, and his children (of the 10 he fathered, seven survived to adulthood) remembered playing in his study. Later, one of his sons recounted how, after an argument, his father came up to his room, sat on his bed, and apologized for losing his temper. And although often painted as a recluse, Darwin served as a local magistrate, meting out justice in his dining room.
She speaks as well of his overwhelming opposition to slavery, at a time when by and large people weren't all that bothered by it.
From that he gave himself over to his science, focusing on the minutiae of the flora and fauna of the earth, while also conceiving large scale explanations. He may not have been right about everything, and there are many elements of evolutionary theory that would have to wait for a new century. Still the achievement is amazing. But again more amazing is the person he was. It is too bad that some of my fellow Christians, in their zeal to defend God, have chosen to defame a man such as this.
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