Question

Can evolution be equated with progress? Give reason for your answer.

Answer 1

Evolution

1. Evolution may be defined as the gradual changes that occur over a long period of time resulting in the formation of new life forms, from the pre-existing forms.
2. Evolutionary change is not necessarily progressive. The evolution of a species may lead to its own extinction, a change that is not progressive, at least not for that species.
3. Evolution has also resulted in the generation of new varieties.

Evolution Vs progress

1. Evolution cannot be equated with progress because the simple organisms are primitive with simple genetic makeup but the functions they perform are very difficult to do by the complex or higher organisms.
2. It is not always evolving from simple to complex body, but also the complex organism staying in lower-lying conditions gets evolved too.
3. For example, Microorganisms are simple and primitive and humans are more developed and advanced organisms.
4. But microorganisms are present everywhere, survive in extreme conditions, and produce complex substances.

Hence, evolution cannot be equated with progress