Lecture 6: Critical Analysis of Darwinian Evolution

Do you think Darwinian evolutionary theory makes an important contribution

to knowledge or otherwise? 

Yes, I think Darwinian evolutionary theory makes an important contribution to

knowledge. However, as a Muslim, I agree that the theory is contradict with the
information given in Quran. Like one of his theory states that humans descended
from monkeys while in Quran states that man were created from clay and were
bought to life by blowing of soul into their body. Once a Muslim start to agree
with the theory, it will destroy their religious basis.  But I am not entirely rejected
the book as Darwin spent so many years writing the book, there must be some
useful information from it. We can compare his theory with our knowledge so
that we can learned from it.

For example, Darwin proposed a mechanism for evolution which is natural

selection. This mechanism explained how populations could evolve in such a way
that they became better suited to their environments over time. We can learn
about adaptation with this mechanism. It is very realistic that we need to adapt to
the changing environment. As a student, I need to know how to make posters,
videos etc and if I do not do this, I will be lost because we need an extra skill to
survive. So, Darwin has given me such a good information on how to survive in
society.

In the light of pandemic, do you feel we owe anything to Darwinian

evolutionary theory?
Allah created this world and its natural balance. Darwinian mindset is basically
saying that only a portion of us will make it because they are well adapted. It is
also given by self-interest and that has caused an imbalance in the natural forces
in the grand design and that pandemic all started because of someone who was
driven by self-interest.

Darwinian evolution theory also gave birth to so many other branches of science
for example symbiosis which is the study of how microorganisms interact with
one another. The molecules meddling with another and causing COVID-19. The
world is also trying to get the blood cells of those who have survived COVID-19 to
study their cells and produce a vaccine out of it.

Human is the most powerful species in the world. However, COVID-19 virus has
wiping out humans so why it is becoming stronger. So, the virus was most fitted
than human. We had no cure. If we do not have the vaccine for this, it will be a
big trouble for the world. However, if we had a vaccine for this, it will be a big
opportunity for people especially companies like Samsung, Google because they
operate on Darwinian principle as they are there to earn money. There is a race
on who is the richest and that is Darwinian sentiment. Islam put limits and keep
things under regulation. There is so much inequality and unequal distribution in
Darwinian and Islam creates a balance and equal opportunity for everybody.

Do you think necessary moral absolutes exist or otherwise? Explain your

reasoning

The father of ‘Social Darwinism’, Spencer truly believed that a poor man was his
own fault, and no one should help him to get out of the problem. So, if a person is
rich, that is his achievement even if it is found to be unethical. This new ideology,
which is gaining popularity in the business sector and in society, despite its
immoral methods, has not been criticized for being seen in line with the laws of
life.

The main step to be taken to prevent such a brutal ideology from occurring
whether communism, hyper-capitalism, or fascism, is by eliminating the root
cause of 'Darwinism' especially those of the intellectuals. The main reason why
the people of the world live in poverty is the lack of confidence in the existence of
Allah. Thus, it is important for Muslim to be united in their actions against
materialism and to reject religion or atheism.

'Social Darwinism' promotes the idea of nature, it advocates the elimination of

the weak and creates a cruel attitude in society while faith in God will create an
attitude of compassion, mutual protection, solidarity, cooperation and sharing.
So, those who get rich do not necessarily exploit the poor but protect them.