Darwin's Theory Of Natural Selection

Knowledge within a discipline develops according to the principles of natural selection. How useful is this metaphor?

To what extent can knowledge develop and does it progress according to Darwin’s theory of natural selection? To answer this question, it is significant to specify which areas of knowledge is investigated since knowledge within different areas of knowledge progress in different way. In this essay, this knowledge question would be evaluated within knowledge in natural sciences, in which knowledge is established through observations, hypothetical statement, experiments, and peer-reviewed journals. Knowledge in natural sciences progress when scientists review the previous knowledge and further improve it using inductive and deductive

Paradigm shifts in natural sciences shows that there is a dynamic shift in scientific knowledge rather than a step by- step progression. It is true that scientists normally start with previous existing knowledge and some knowledge can be revised and progressed even if it is falsified. However, the accumulation of scientific knowledge might face problems when some natural phenomena cannot be explained with minor changes or modifications. At this stage, scientists with different perspective should use their intuition and imagination to assume totally new scientific knowledge. For instance, in 1961, Peter Mitchell published the theory of chemiosmosis to explain the process of electron transport in the membrane of mitochondria. (Andrew, p386) This theory produced a paradigm shift in bioenergetics since it was totally different than the previous knowledge. Although this theory did not immediately accepted by the public and science community, it eventually becomes the normal theory to be survived in science society. This is very similar to the principles of natural selection that better adapted trait slowly overwhelmed the population. Just like animals and plants, theory with more evident and convincing explanation slowly overwhelmed other previous study in science society and it eventually becomes the normal one. This is clearly shown with the example of chemiosmotic

Thus, development of knowledge can be still interpreted to follow the principle of natural selection. In the example of Darwin’s theory, most of the religious people decided to reject the theory of evolution. This shows that Darwin’s theory is not adapted to that specific “environment”. When Darwin’s theory finally accepted by the community, this shows that there is a change in “environment”, in which desirable knowledge changes. This is why Darwin’s theory is accepted later. Just like how black pepper moths survived in industrial areas, and white moths survived in general forest, this clearly shows that adaptation of a knowledge is decided by the “environment”, which is a component of nature, rather than human beings. Nevertheless, development of knowledge in natural sciences is still highly influenced by human beings because knowledge is accepted to community not only because people favored them but also other factors. It is might true that, in ancient times, scientific knowledge that is not favored by religious groups are eliminated. However, in modern days, the whole society is educated and they seek for universal shared knowledge. People consider implication, impact on nature, economic availability and various aspects when they conclude a shared knowledge from various scientific