35 Darwinism

In "The Origin of Man and Sexual Selection" (1871), Charles Darwin specifically studied the question of the place of man in the organic world and discovered that man occurred in the process of evolution from lower animal forms. In another book, The Expression of Emotions in Man and Animals (1872), Charles Darwin, with the help of evolutionary theory, argued the idea of ​​the unity of the genesis of expressive movements accompanying the feeling of fear, hostility, surprise, etc. in animals and humans, discovered their adaptive value. The idea of ​​the adaptive sense of the psyche manifested itself in psychology. Expressed also by G. Spencer, she marked the beginning of a new approach to the study of the psyche as the main means of adaptation to the environment.

The theory of evolution strongly influenced psychology. She asserted the idea of ​​evolution, and the laws of development discovered by Charles Darwin in the organic world set before psychology the task of determining the driving forces of mental maturation and, in particular, in relation to man. There was also the question of comparing the psyche of animals and humans. In the writings of C. Darwin, such problems were first established on a scientific basis, and their development marked the beginning of the formation of new trends and approaches in psychology — the psychology of animals, child psychology, and the psychology of the so-called uncultured peoples.

Charles Darwin focused on confirming the kinship of humans and animals. He cited comparatively anatomical, embryological evidence of the genesis of humans from mammals:

1) affinity of all organ systems;

2) the presence of rudimentary organs;

3) the presence of atavism as a manifestation of the ancestors;

3) the formation of a fertilized egg and the similarity of the embryonic development.

The affinity of man and monkeys:

1) the presence of higher nervous activity (GNI);

2) the manifestation of emotions and feelings;

3) the use of tools;

4) relatedness of medical manifestations: diseases, blood groups, etc .;

5) Genesis from common ancestors.

Charles Darwin, in addition to the development of the animal world, developed a theory of plant evolution. Like animals, plants are under the influence of genetic factors, passing on by inheritance. Only adaptable species capable of repeated reproduction are retained.

Charles Darwin laid the foundations of an evolutionary theory of the genesis and inconstancy of the animal and plant world. As a result of experimental observations, he argued the main principle of life: only those species that survive are easier to adapt to the habitat, modify their hereditary characteristics in accordance with this and are capable of productive reproduction.