The Apparent Change from the Rather Mechanistic Explanation of Evolution Put Forth by the Greeks

Reading Passage Question

The apparent change from the rather mechanistic explanation of evolution put forth by the Greeks to the more creationist reasoning found later in Europe was a significant paradigm shift, yet it is clear that the idea of evolution was not first pioneered by Darwin himself.

It is essential to confront the creationist issue and to look at it in a scientific manner. Creationism is not science and doesn‘t belong in the science classroom. However, a frank discussion of creationism with students is also important. To avoid it may suggest that perhaps there is something valid there, lurking in the irrationality.

The late Carl Sagan, one of the staunchest advocates of rationality and reason in the increasingly irrational and superstitious world in which we live, has defended the importance of good science teaching by saying: ―In the demon-haunted world that we inhabit by virtue of being human, [science] may be all that stands between us and the enveloping darkness.‖ In its most simple form, the concept of evolution is that populations of organisms change over time. One can trace the origins of evolutionary thought at least as far back as the Greeks.

Anaximander, in 500 BC, held the belief that living creatures were formed from water and that humans and other animals were descended from fishes. Empedocles, around 400 BC, proposed an evolutionary hypothesis in which he stated that heads, limbs, and various other parts of animals were continuously joined in random combinations – e.g. human heads with cows‘ bodies – and that only some of these combinations were fit for survival.

Christian philosophers later elaborated on the ideas of Aristotle and Plato when they reasoned that because existence is a good thing and because God is considered benevolent, God must have bestowed existence on all creatures. This twist of circular reasoning, to which the name ―natural theology‖ was applied, dominated the period preceding Darwin, and this philosophy resisted change long after Darwin published his theory of natural selection in 1859.

Thomas Huxley, one of Darwin‘s most ardent supporters, was one of the founding members of the powerful London School Board, which helped to set curriculum guidelines for students and teachers. However, in the United States a strong biblical fundamentalism was taking hold, using the Bible as both a means of consolation as well as a guide for moral conduct. Many states passed laws banning the teaching of evolution in schools, and teachers who persisted either did so quietly or allowed themselves to be martyred. Most recently, those opposed to the teaching of evolution in schools have pressed the idea of ―creation science,‖ a tactic devised by creationists in the late 1960s to infiltrate America‘s science classrooms with religious ideas.

Creation science, despite the apparent oxymoron, is a phrase that has been widely used by creationists to add legitimacy to their claims by stating that creationism is a scientific theory just as much as evolution. By claiming that their ideas are scientific, creationists could then demand equal time in the classroom devoted to both evolutionary theory and the ―theory‖ of creationism.

“The apparent change from the rather mechanistic explanation of evolution put forth by the Greeks”- is a GMAT reading comprehension passage with answers. Candidates need a strong knowledge of English GMAT reading comprehension.

This GMAT Reading Comprehension consists of 7 comprehension questions. The GMAT Reading Comprehension questions are designed for testing candidates’ abilities in understanding, analyzing, and applying information or concepts. Candidates can actively prepare with the help of GMAT Reading Comprehension Practice Questions.

Solution and Explanation

1. When reviewing all of the arguments made in the passage it becomes apparent that the author‘s main idea in this passage is:

1. to explain the differences between natural selection and creation science.
2. to show how the continued spread of creationist views is a potentially dangerous affront to a rational, scientific understanding of evolution.
3. to contrast the creationist viewpoints, such as fundamentalism and natural theology with more ancient views of evolution.
4. to explain why the concepts of evolution are more scientifically correct than those of ―creation science.‖
5. to argue that ‗creation science‘ is the best explanation of evolution

2. The author brings up Greek philosophers to point out which of the following:

1. that the origins of evolutionary thought comprised some silly notions such as heads, limbs, and various other parts of animals were always being joined in random combinations.
2. that the origins of evolutionary thought began long before Darwin.
3. that both evolutionary thought and creationism have their origins among the Greeks.
4. Anaximander first came up with the theory of evolution.
5. Greeks were far more learned than any other group at that time

3. Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?

1. A frank discussion of creationism is pointless
2. Carl Sagan was indifferent towards rationality
3. Anaximander believed that humans were descended from apes
4. Thomas Huxley approved of Darwin‘s theories
5. Christian philosophers rejected the ideas of Aristotle and Plato

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