Lecture 3 I. Intro to Evolution and Natural Selection. Evolution was appreciated well before Darwin. It was noted that animals had a number of parts in common and thus, must somehow be related there must be a common ancestor. Evolution proceeds by differential reproductive success, i.e. by the natural selection of some traits or characteristics over others. These traits or characteristics endow some benefit.
Natural selection acts on the variations of the phenotype within the population.
Despite our apparent acceptance of evolution via natural selection, most are stilled hampered with old thoughts regarding the mind, and the place of man in general scheme of things. Scale of Nature all animals are ranked on a graded continuous dimension with low, intermediate and higher levels generally goes something like insects, fish, reptiles, birds, small rodent-like mammals, cats, dogs, monkeys, apes and humans. Usually those that we perceive to be more like us, are ranked higher. Scientific impact of monkey experiments is greater. Affects our understanding of evolution.