Final answer:
True. Charles Darwin's theory of evolution was indeed influenced by the geological principle of uniformitarianism, advanced by James Hutton and popularized by Charles Lyell. This principle proposed that the slow, gradual processes shaping the Earth's geology over long periods could serve as an analogy for biological evolution.
Step-by-step explanation:
It is true that Darwin's theory of evolution was influenced by the principle of uniformitarianism from geology. Scottish geologist James Hutton first proposed that geological change occurred gradually, which was a stark contrast to the then-dominant belief in catastrophic formations.
This idea was further popularized by Charles Lyell, whose work on the principle of uniformitarianism stated that the slow geological processes such as erosion and sedimentation occurring today were the same as those in the past.
Darwin, influenced by Lyell, incorporated the concept that given enough time, gradual changes could lead to significant biological evolution, thus advancing his theory of natural selection.
Charles Lyell, a friend to Darwin, suggested that the Earth was much older than previously thought. His findings indicated that the accumulation of minute changes over long periods was responsible for the geological formations we see today.
These concepts inspired Darwin's thinking about the slow process of biological change and the evolution of species. Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection similarly required vast expanses of time to account for the gradual adaptation and diversity of life on Earth.