Huxley- Wilberforce Debate
Huxley- Wilberforce Debate
1. What did most people in the 19th century believe about the origins of living things?
During the 19th century the prevailing beliefs around the origins of living things were situated around their religion. People believed they were a special creation in the image of God, whereas Darwinism suggested humans were subjected to the same evolutionary roles as other species. This theory of Darwinism went against all religious beliefs of creation, bringing doubt towards the religious theories suggested in the Bible.
2. In the debate, who was Huxley supporting? Who was Wilberforce supporting?
Thomas Huxley was an eminent biologist who heavily supported Darwin’s theory of evolution. He based his argument upon scientific knowledge and belief, as well as suggesting he ‘would rather have been descended from an ape than a bishop who obscured the truth.’
Samuel Wilberforce, Bishop of Oxford, was outraged, particularly by the idea of a heritable link between man and apes. He believed that implying humans were descended from apes was against the Christian Doctrine. Wilberforce argued that if Darwin’s ideas were accepted, it would be the end of Western religion.
3. Why is this debate so memorable? What was the outcome?
The 1860 Huxley-Wilberforce debate is considered a pivotal moment in history as science registered an influential victory over religion in the ongoing struggle of power. It was one of the greatest encounters between science and religion, becoming known as the famous ‘evolutionary debate.’ This debate was the most important advocate for Darwin’s evolutionism for the next two decades, and still remains a significant event in both science and religion’s history.
Huxley’s scientific argument prevailed over the emotional ridiculing approach of Wilberforce. His arguments were the most persuasive, with Darwin’s ideas becoming established as a part of modern science.
1. What did most people in the 19th century believe about the origins of living things?
During the 19th century the prevailing beliefs around the origins of living things were situated around their religion. People believed they were a special creation in the image of God, whereas Darwinism suggested humans were subjected to the same evolutionary roles as other species. This theory of Darwinism went against all religious beliefs of creation, bringing doubt towards the religious theories suggested in the Bible.
2. In the debate, who was Huxley supporting? Who was Wilberforce supporting?
Thomas Huxley was an eminent biologist who heavily supported Darwin’s theory of evolution. He based his argument upon scientific knowledge and belief, as well as suggesting he ‘would rather have been descended from an ape than a bishop who obscured the truth.’
Samuel Wilberforce, Bishop of Oxford, was outraged, particularly by the idea of a heritable link between man and apes. He believed that implying humans were descended from apes was against the Christian Doctrine. Wilberforce argued that if Darwin’s ideas were accepted, it would be the end of Western religion.
3. Why is this debate so memorable? What was the outcome?
The 1860 Huxley-Wilberforce debate is considered a pivotal moment in history as science registered an influential victory over religion in the ongoing struggle of power. It was one of the greatest encounters between science and religion, becoming known as the famous ‘evolutionary debate.’ This debate was the most important advocate for Darwin’s evolutionism for the next two decades, and still remains a significant event in both science and religion’s history.
Huxley’s scientific argument prevailed over the emotional ridiculing approach of Wilberforce. His arguments were the most persuasive, with Darwin’s ideas becoming established as a part of modern science.