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“For man is enabled through his mental faculties “to keep with an unchanged body in
harmony with the changing universe.” He has great power of adapting his habits to new conditions of life. He invents weapons, tools, and various stratagems to procure food and to defend himself. When he migrates into a colder climate he uses clothes, builds sheds, and makes fires; and by the aid of fire cooks food otherwise indigestible. He aids his fellow-men in many ways, and anticipates future events.” (Darwin, 1)
This passage vividly communicates Darwin’s message regarding intellectual and moral development in man. In this passage Darwin argues the superiority of man over other animals as a result of intellectual development. Darwin explains that man’s survival is solely dependent on his intellectual ability that has allowed him to keep up with the changes in the universe. He explains that this intellectual skill and capacity endows man with the ability to adapt to the changes in the environment, as well as, life in general. Darwin provides a number of examples where man has used his intellectual capacity to adapt to his environment such as the construction of weapons for defense purposes. In addition to using his mental abilities for individual survival, Darwin also explains that man has used this skill to assist his fellow man. This, in turn, assures humanity of survival as species, something that no animal species can enjoy, owing to a lack of mental development. Conclusively, Darwin also talks of man’s ability to predict future events as a result of intellectual development. This passage relates to Darwin’s article on the descent of man, as it facilitates understanding of the creation of man and the difference between man and other animals of creation.
Work Cited
Carter, Marion. H. Darwin’s Idea of Mental Development. The American Journal of Psychology ,
9.4 (1898): 534-559.
Darwin, Charles. Descent of Man. infidels.org. n.d, Web. 3 November 2011.
<<http://www.infidels.org/library/historical/charles_darwin/descent_of_man/chapter_05.html>>
