Thomas Robert Malthus (1766-1834)

Darwin´s theory of evolution was the most important scientific innovation in the nineteenth century. It explains evolution on the basis of natural selection where every species produces more offspring than can possibly survive. This leads to constant competition among members of the especies. Only those that are best fitted to the conditions will survive the struggle for existence. Nature - like a "blind watchmaker" - unconsciously, and with no predetermined plan or design, selects out the organisms of a species that will create the next generation. The selected organisms will reproduce and pass on to future generations the variations that gave them some advantage in the struggle for existence.