Darwin’s Evolution Theory & Cultural Diversity
Darwin’s Theory of Evolution and Its Foundations
The definitive version of evolutionism in the nineteenth century was provided by Charles Darwin (1809-1882). In 1858, following his transformative voyage to the Galapagos Islands and South America, Darwin presented a new theory of evolution in London, based on his extensive observations. This theory would have a profound impact on all areas of knowledge.
This theory is based on two fundamental principles:
- Struggle for Survival: Darwin posited a struggle for survival due to the scarcity of resources relative to the number of living organisms.
- Natural Selection: This struggle leads to a selection process where the fittest survive. Those with the best characteristics to adapt to their environment thrive, while the less well-endowed perish. Naturally, the fittest and most suitable transmit their advantageous characteristics to their descendants.
Although Darwin’s theory of natural selection superseded Lamarck’s, it did not fully explain the mechanism of evolution. Darwin lacked an adequate theory of heredity to clarify how heritable variations were passed from one generation to another. This crucial theory of inheritance was later developed by Gregor Mendel (1822-1884).
Over the century, Darwin’s theory was further complemented by other scientific advancements:
- Louis Pasteur’s work disproved the theory of spontaneous generation, reinforcing the idea of life evolving from pre-existing life.
- Geologists, through the study of fossils, concluded that the Earth’s age was approximately 4.5 billion years, significantly higher than the previously accepted biblical estimate of 6,000 years.
This geological data was critically important for the definitive acceptance of Darwinian evolutionary theory. One of the most significant obstacles Darwin faced was that the evolutionary developments described in his theory required a vast amount of time, which the previously accepted age of the Earth did not provide.
Understanding Multiculturalism and Cultural Diversity
Contemporary studies on cultural diversity no longer focus solely on explaining why different cultures exist or why they are at different levels of development. Instead, they delve deeper, seeking to understand what happens when this cultural diversity shares the same social space.
We speak of multiculturalism when, in a specific social space (such as a country or a city), people from different identified cultures must coexist. This often leads to coexistence challenges between what is considered the mainstream culture and other cultures that live alongside it and may feel marginalized.
Aboriginal peoples, immigrants, proponents of nationalities within the broader context of a nation-state, and other marginalized groups demand respect for their cultures. They are often unwilling to assimilate into the mainstream culture, preferring to maintain their own distinct identity.
Forms of pluralism include:
- Multinationalism: Coexistence of multiple nations within a single state.
- Polyethnicity: Coexistence of multiple ethnic groups within a single state.
- Marginalized Groups: Other groups seeking cultural recognition and rights.
Attitudes towards cultural diversity include:
- Ethnocentrism: Analyzing other cultures from the perspective of one’s own culture, which is considered the standard for evaluating and ranking all others.
- Cultural Relativism: This approach aims to analyze different cultures based on their own intrinsic values, rather than from an external culture’s viewpoint. It advocates for enduring and respecting diverse cultural expressions.
- Interculturalism: While starting from a respect for other cultures, interculturalism goes beyond the limitations of relativism. It promotes active engagement and encounter between different cultures on an equal footing, fostering mutual understanding and enrichment.