Question

Explain how scientific investigations that preceded lamarck contribution to the development of his theory of evolution?

Answer 1

Lamarck was strongly influenced by Linnaeus, Buffon and Lyell.

Linnaeus was fundamental in laying the foundations of the classification, he raised the need to group by similarities, which is related to the concept of species.

Buffon accepts evolutionary changes but he thinks that monkeys are degenerations of man, Lamark also recognizes the change in species but as an evolution from simpler to more complex life forms.

Lyell represents the gradualist current, which inspired Lamark to recognize the change in species

Answer 2

Lamarck's theory proposed that the changes a species undergoes and passes on to its offspring are a result of its inner striving toward perfection or an adaptation fueled by necessity. An example of Lamarckian evolution would be a man and a woman developing significantly stronger upper arms as a result of their professions or sports activities, and then producing children that also possessed stronger upper arms. Modern research into genetics has discredited this major premise of Lamarck's evolutionary theory.