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Views on the origin and diversity of living things

This page delivers no verdict; it presents claims and evidence with their sources. No theory in science is absolute. Method

⑂ Divergence of views. Views diverge here; each sub-branch is a separate view, presented with its own evidence. Compare the views side by side →

For everyone

Different answers have been given to how living species arose and why they are so diverse. "Evolution" is not a single theory: Lamarck, Darwin, the modern synthesis, the neutral theory, punctuated equilibrium and the extended synthesis propose different mechanisms and make different claims. Intelligent design, creationism, theistic evolution and views in Islamic thought are also shown as separate branches, each with its own evidence and sources.

For specialists

The scientific literature often conflates two separate claims. The first is common descent, that species are linked by ancestry. The second is how far various mechanisms (natural selection, genetic drift, migration, developmental factors, epigenetics) account for diversity. The relative importance of the mechanisms is still debated among biologists. Religious views address these questions in relation to creation; some accept natural processes as means of creation and some do not.

Claims

There is an ongoing debate among biologists about the relative importance of mechanisms.^[1]

Connections

Parent

Biology

Sub-branches

The first origin of life (abiogenesis)Lamarck and the inheritance of acquired characteristics Darwin and Wallace, natural selection The modern synthesis (neo-Darwinism)Creationism The neutral theory Punctuated equilibrium Intelligent design Theistic evolution (evolutionary creation)The extended evolutionary synthesis Views on the origin of living things in Islamic thought

Humanity Creation narratives

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Sources

ArticleLaland, K.; Uller, T.; Feldman, M. et al.; Wray, G. A.; Hoekstra, H. E. et al. (2014). Does evolutionary theory need a rethink?. Nature 514, 161–164DOI 10.1038/514161a archive

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Cite this page

APA

Athena contributors. (2026). Views on the origin and diversity of living things. Athena: The tree of human knowledge. Retrieved November 1, 2026, from https://latifkedi.github.io/athena/en/d/canlilarin-kokeni/

BibTeX

@misc{athena_canlilarin_kokeni,
  title        = {Views on the origin and diversity of living things},
  author       = {{Athena contributors}},
  year         = {2026},
  howpublished = {\url{https://latifkedi.github.io/athena/en/d/canlilarin-kokeni/}},
  note         = {Athena: The tree of human knowledge. Accessed: 2026-11-01}
}

Added: September 27, 2026 · Last changed: September 27, 2026 · Page history

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