Question

Darwin was most influenced by

• A. Wallace's theory (origin of species)
• B. Thomas Malthus's work on population
• C. Origin of species by August Weismann
• D. Lamarck’s theory of acquired characters

Answer 1

The correct option is B

Thomas Malthus's work on population

The correct option is B.

Explanation of the correct option:

1. Charles Darwin was inspired by Thomas Robert Malthus, a late-eighteenth-century economist.
2. Malthus wrote, "Essay on the Principle of Population" (1798), which darwin examined.
3. Thomas Malthus' inspired Darwin to refine natural selection by stating a reason for meaningful competition between members of the same species.
4. Malthus believed that hunger and disease were aspects of life implemented by God to stop populations from exploding.

Explanation of the incorrect options:

Option A:

Alfred Russel Wallace proposed that evolution takes place due to a phenomenon known as natural selection.

Option C:

Origin of Species via Natural Selection was given by Charles Darwin.

Option D:

Lamarck proposed theories like the inheritance of acquired characters, use, and disuse, increase in complexity, etc.

Final answer: Darwin was most influenced by Thomas Malthus's work on population.