Darwin, Evolution & Spirituality

2009 marks the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Darwin, author of On the Origin of Species and creator of the theory of evolution by natural selection. Although the scientific theories of relativity and quantum physics suggest the underlying nature of reality is very different than what we perceive through our senses, and thus have immense philosophical significance, they actually have virtually no impact upon our daily lives. In contrast, Darwin's widely accepted, but highly controversial, theory of evolution by natural selection has far reaching implications upon human society.

In essence evolution challenges the concept of an intelligent creator of life (God), instead suggesting it spontaneously arose and thrived through the principle of the survival of the fittest. Each new living entity carried random differences (mutations) from its parents. Those individuals with the differences that best suited the environment were most likely to reproduce, thus positive traits were maintained while negative ones tended to be eliminated. Over a very long timescale we have arrived at the marvelous biodiversity we are privileged to be part of today.

Given the influence of (Christian) religion on Victorian English society Darwin was initially reluctant to publish his conclusions, waiting some 20 years after his epic voyage on the Beagle before going public upon realizing another investigator, Alfred Russel Wallace, had reached the same conclusions. Unsurprisingly his work met with criticism and ridicule, with Darwin often lampooned as part-man part-ape.

Despite a mass of evidence confirming the validity of evolution as a description of how life on earth came about many religious fundamentalists continue to favor creationism, ie belief that life was created by a supreme being as currently found.

A major criticism of evolution is the interpretation of "survival of the fittest" that stands as a justification of eugenics and warfare. By pitting nation against nation, race against race, ideology against ideology, the whole process of human progress is speeded up by anticipating nature in eliminating the inferior.

Although the weight of evidence stands against creationism, there are arguments that suggest evolution may not be the whole story. It cannot satisfactorily account for acts of altruism. Nor can it be denied that the immense superiority enjoyed by the human race has been achieved more by cooperation than competition.

The genetic composition with which we are born is simply the cards we are dealt (or more likely, choose) at the start of the game. It is how we play/use those cards that forms our true purpose of being.

A Spiritual interpretation considers the material plane we inhabit as just one particular level of reality. A level that is subordinate to more fundamental, ie Spiritual levels. Evolution may be likened to Newtonian physics, which very accurately approximates (but doesn't fully describe) reality. Evolution describes the development of life on one level. But it doesn't tell the whole story.

Spirit created the earth (physical) plane in which it could individuate and thus act out myriad scenarios. But the earth plane is denser and more bound by deterministic law than the ethereal realms. Quantum physics has revealed it has but a small window of freedom at the sub-atomic level through which the Will of Spirit may shape it. Evolution is an approximation, albeit a very good one. It is the most efficient means by which the diversity, in which our incarnate interactions take place, could have arisen.

Nature is cruel, described by Tennyson as "red in tooth and claw." Indeed, a recent BBC wildlife documentary Nature's Great Events received complaints on the amount of cruelty depicted. Such complaints stand as testimony to the vast degree by which humanity stands above its brethren.

At a broader level, from a Spiritual perspective, nature's cruelty is insignificant compared to the benefits of progress. The momentary injustices and suffering on this plane are soon washed away by the realization of eternality. On the Spiritual level those that suffer are all volunteers, and are ultimately rewarded in some way for their pains.

Undoubtedly, Darwin's theory of natural selection is a mighty leap forward in our understanding of how we came about. It accurately describes how so many different living species have come to inhabit this beautiful planet. However, as much as we may know about the components and mechanism that form a human being these things can never inform us about the experience of being human, nor explain that deep inner certainty of free will or the desire for purpose and fulfillment.

Johnny is the editor of new age spirituality - exploring the idea that this life, this world, is not the totality of our existence. In fact, it might be just one small part of something much bigger, just one tiny step along an infinite journey... Have your say on our forum the hang out.