Darwin Artificial Selection

The Origin of Species has often been described by Darwin himself as an abstract, which seems ludicrous the first time one reads through its endlessly sprawling pages. However, as the text is examined further, his arguments do seem to have a lot of hypothetical statements and logic that could warrant further explanation. However, there is a strength to the approach of viewing the Origin as an abstract: everything is one giant argument for it's central theory, that being Descent with Modification through Natural Selection (Darwin's words). Darwin himself also confirmed that this was his intent, that every page, every paragraph, and every sentence argued for his conclusion. However, this seems to clash with an oddly placed first chapter, which

However, Darwin spends a great deal going over his fondness of pigeons, the different techniques that breeders use for artificial selection, and the great power of man for controlling this art. If the Origin is a massive argument, why is this chapter included? The answer is a bit complex. While his use of Artificial Selection is somewhat flawed, and his argument could technically exist without it, the purpose of the Chapter is entirely necessary. Without the First Chapter of The Origin of Species explaining Variation under Domestication, his argument of Natural Selection is not as strong. Furthermore, this section is not only helps his central argument, it only improves on statements that he makes in later chapters, and builds a foundation of concepts used in explaining different parts of his

In this case, he is tackling a problem with evolution by first introducing it with Artificial Selection. The common theory at the time was that domesticated varieties came from multiple parent species. Instead of all domesticated breeds coming from one parent species, they would come from 2-10 parent species, of which they eventually crossed and varied. While this was the accepted theory at the time, Darwin actually disagreed with this based on his own observation. This is where he relates the breeding of pigeons to his bigger theory. Darwin found that all pigeons share similar features, and that after cross-breeding, the hybrids were fertile. Both of these things indicate one parent species (if one crosses two distinct breeds, the offspring ends up sterile). These findings convinced Darwin that pigeon species must have descended from one dominant pigeon species, and that pigeons were not unique in this concept. Relating this to broader biology, one of the common theories of the time was the “special creation theory.” This theory stated that, at the beginning of the world, several species were created. These species served as “prototypes” for the species that are known today. Although not mentioned in the Origin of Species, some said that Darwin believed in spontaneous creation. One being was created out of non-organic material, and all other organisms come from that one being. Darwin eventually