Revista Chilena de Historia Natural 83 (2): 237-241, 2010
COMMENTARY
The Darwinian revolution
The scientific revolution probably began at 16<sup>th</sup> century with the
heliocentric theory of the eminent astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus, but it was culminated with the masterful discoveries of Galileo
Galilei and Isaac Newton at 17<sup>th</sup> century who revealed that planet movements around the sun and other similar
phenomena can be explained by simple mechanical laws of physics and astronomy. However, the origin, complexity and configuration
of living beings remained in the mystery until 19<sup>th</sup> century, with the publication of “On the origin of species”. In
this essay I discuss the importance of the Darwinian scientific revolution, its beginnings, and the main objections of creationists to his
evolutionary ideas. Darwin demonstrated that the origin and complexity of living beings can be explained by natural processes, without
the intervention of a supernatural being. However, the beginnings of the Darwinian revolution were particularly difficult and 128 years
after his death, the controversy between evolutionists and creationists still persists.
Key words:
creationism, Darwin,
evolution, religion, scientific revolution
