On this day in 1860, some seven months after Charles Darwin’s On the Origin of Species was published, John Draper of the New York University delivered a talk on the intellectual development of Europe in the light of Darwin’s theory. People don’t talk about the paper & from what one can glean of the subject matter addressed, and the justly earned ill repute of “social Darwinism,” that may all be for the best. What is remembered is what is now called the Huxley /Wilberforce debate, or if you prefer, the Wilbeforce/Huxley debate. Although, actually, it wasn’t much of a debate, and is in fact recalled for a single exchange between Wilbeforce and Huxley.
There appears to be no verbatim report of the exchange and several versions float around. My favorite goes something like this.
The good bishop Samuel Wilberforce questions Thomas Huxley, asking whether it is on his father’s or his mother’s side that he claims descent from a monkey?
Professor Huxley replies to the bishop that he would much rather be descended from a monkey than be related to someone who abuses his great gifts to obscure the truth.
Of course so many years later, versions of the debate continue.
The science is settled, certainly in the broad strokes. Not that that stops people from either inventing specious arguments, bizarre appeals to old dictionaries, or in flat out denial of the realities in front of their noses.
For me there is something wondrous in knowing that we are in fact descended from monkeys. Or, rather we’re all descended from a common ancestor.
What’s rather more wondrous is how we’re all related, every blessed living thing on this planet.
And more closely connected than simply biologically, as well…
Surely that deep intimacy we have with each and every thing should be a story people can find comfort in.
Sam and Tom are, whether they like it or not, related.
And it is getting rather weird that we don’t start acting like we are related. Talk about dysfunctional families…
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