What are you saying? That prior to Darwin there weren't any fossils? There weren't layers of dirt holding different kinds of rocks? What kind of unique scientific technology did Darwin haul out with him to the Galápagos Islands that was crucial in the formation of his so-called "theory"? So new and cutting edge that man had to wait until the 19th century before he could possibly have a grasp on his origins?
Come on, you're really a troll aren't you... (you can admit it)
What are you saying? That prior to Darwin there weren't any fossils? There weren't layers of dirt holding different kinds of rocks? What kind of unique scientific technology did Darwin haul out with him to the Galápagos Islands that was crucial in the formation of his so-called "theory"? So new and cutting edge that man had to wait until the 19th century before he could possibly have a grasp on his origins?
In the decades prior to Darwin geologists had begun to systematically analyse rock formations and the fossil record in a way that hadn't previously been attempted. They concluded a number of things from their observations:
1. The earth was very old; far older than a literal reading of the bible would permit
2. Numerous different kinds of creatures had existed in the past. Similar creatures appeared together in particular strata bands but not elsewhere in the rock.
3. The oldest creatures found (in the lower, therefore older strata) appeared to be simpler than the more recent ones.
This was part of what Darwin took to the Galapagos with him. Not a wonderful new instrument, but knowledge (the most wonderful instrument of all, in a way). Specifically the knowledge that the species living on earth had changed over geological time. His theory helped to explain those observations.
Another clue to the answer is contained in the question. The Galapagos contains wonderful examples of adaption through selection and Darwin was able to see these with eyes untainted with familiarity. Who can say how much this helped him have his "dangerous idea"? Very few naturalists had travelled round the world prior to Darwin because safe ocean travel was a comparatively new phenomenon, made possible by inventions such as the marine chronometer in the previous century, and improved understanding of safe diets on long sea voyages.
Further evidence that suggests that by the early 19th century evolution was a theory waiting to be discovered is that Darwin was not unique in his studies. Other naturalists were working towards similar conclusions but Darwin published first.
Newton and numerous other brilliant scientists prior to 1800 had no opportunity to formulate the Theory of Evolution because science and our knowledge of the world had not advanced to that point.
What are you saying? That prior to Darwin there weren't any fossils? There weren't layers of dirt holding different kinds of rocks?
B: You'll forgive me if I keep comming back to this point as Reuben isn't too swift, and I continually have to repeat myself. Nobody is claiming that the evidence for evolution didn't exist in Newton's time. However, nobody knew about it. Geology as a science, didn't get underway until Nicolas Steno formulated the superposition principle in the late 1600's. Newton didn't study geology. Therefore it is comical to use Newton as an example of a luminary who didn't accept the theory of evolution. I think most people with half a brain will understand this.
What kind of unique scientific technology did Darwin haul out with him to the Galápagos Islands that was crucial in the formation of his so-called "theory"?
B: Darwin was trained in Geology by Lyelle, Sedgewick and in Biology by Robert Grant at Cambridge.
Newton had no training in either.
So new and cutting edge that man had to wait until the 19th century before he could possibly have a grasp on his origins?
B: Same reason we had to wait until the middle of the 20th century for man to have a grasp of computers. After all, are you trying to tell me that silicon didn't exist before the 1960's?
B: I hope people reading this thread relize just how damaged the thought processes of creationists really are. Its not pretty.
Come on, you're really a troll aren't you... (you can admit it)
Reuben, I'm sure the precious few thoughtful creationists out there are hoping you are indeed a troll.