Comte De Buffon and Evolution
October 26th, 2009
Despite his leanings toward evolution and natural selection, French naturalist Comte de Buffon once wrote: “But no! It is certain, from revelation, that all animals have alike been favored with the grace of an act of direct creation, and that the first pair of every species issued full formed from the hands of the Creator.”
This type of disarming religious prejudice was common during his day, but he continually recurs to statements as to mutability which neutralize them. Buffon makes in the following statement a broad claim for nature as opposed to creation. He often wrote about the variation among many animals, and how changes of food, climate, and general surroundings influence both their forms and their habits. And yet he also stated:
“What cannot nature effect with such means at her disposal? She can do all except either create matter or destroy it. These two extremes of power the Deity has reserved for Himself only; creation and destruction are the action of His omnipotence. To alter and undo, to develop and renew–these are powers which He has handed over to the charge of nature.”
Here we have a claim for the power of nature in the modification of species which fully comes up to the requirements of the most advanced evolutionist. It is remarkable how clearly Buffon perceived the great factors so important for the evolution of organisms, rapid multiplication, great variability, and the struggle for existence. So despite the invocation of God, natural forces are not only acknowledged but embraced. How handy and convenient to bring a Deity in to cover your bases for evolutionary facts on the ground.
This internal dilemma in Buffon is now played out on the world stage in the evolution creationism controversy debate.
Entry Filed under: Education Online, Internet Science Resources, The Historians Lair