The Influence of Darwin on Philosophy

Charles Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection significantly impacted philosophy by challenging traditional views of human uniqueness and emphasizing the biological basis of life. It prompted philosophers to reconsider ideas about morality, knowledge, and human nature, highlighting that humans are part of the natural world. Darwin’s work encouraged a scientific approach to understand existence and prompted debates about free will, ethics, and the origins of consciousness, fostering a more materialistic and empirical perspective in philosophical thought.