Comprehension : Comprehension

Q 124 / 466

UPSC CSE Prelims 2022

Natural selection cannot anticipate future environments on the
earth. Therefore, the set of existing organisms can never be fully
prepared for environmental catastrophes that await life. An outcome of
this is the extinction of those species which cannot overcome
environmental adversity. This failure to survive, in modem terms, can be
attributed to the genomes which are unable to withstand geological.
vagaries or biological mishaps (infections, diseases and so on). In
biological evolution on 'the earth, extinction of species has been a
major feature. The earth may presently have up to ten million species,
yet more than 90% of species that have ever lived on the earth are now
extinct. Once again, the creationist doctrines fail to satisfactorily
address why a divine creator will firstly bother to create millions of
species and then allow them to perish: The Darwinian explanation for
extinct life is once again simple, elegant and at once
convincing-organisms go extinct as a function of environmental or
biological assaults for which their inheritance deems them ill-equipped.
Therefore, the so-called Darwinian theory of evolution is not a theory
at all. Evolution happens-this is a fact. The mechanism of evolution
(Darwin proposed natural selection) is amply supported by scientific
data. Indeed, to date no single zoological, botanical, geological,
pale-ontological, genetic or physical evidence has refuted either of the
central two main Darwinian ideas. If religion is not taken into
consideration, Darwinian Jaws are acceptable just like the laws proposed
by Copernicus, Galileo, Newton and Einstein-sets of natural laws that
explain natural phenomena in the universe.
The passage suggests that Darwinian theory of evolution is not - a
theory at all because

EXPLANATION

Correct Option (B)

The passage suggests that Darwinian theory of evolution is not merely a theory but a factual understanding because its explanation for the extinction of species is demonstrably robust. It highlights that organisms become extinct as a direct consequence of environmental pressures or biological challenges, a phenomenon for which Darwin's framework provides a simple, elegant, and convincing account. This strong explanatory power regarding a fundamental biological process elevates its status beyond a speculative theory to an established fact, as indicated by the phrase "Therefore, the so-called Darwinian theory of evolution is not a theory at all. Evolution happens-this is a fact."

Incorrect Options:

  • Option (A) it does not satisfy the creationist doctrine: The passage explicitly refutes creationist doctrines, stating they "fail to satisfactorily address" phenomena like species extinction. It does not suggest that Darwinian theory is considered "not a theory at all" because it fails to align with creationist views. Instead, it positions Darwinian principles as superior explanations.

  • Option (C) there are no evidences to refute it: While the passage indeed states that "no single zoological, botanical, geological, pale-ontological, genetic or physical evidence has refuted either of the central two main Darwinian ideas," this statement, in isolation, is not presented as the primary reason for the claim that Darwinian evolution is "not a theory at all." Rather, the passage emphasizes the compelling explanatory power of Darwinian theory, particularly regarding extinction, as the basis for its factual status. The lack of refuting evidence reinforces its factual nature but is presented as a subsequent supporting point rather than the direct cause for the initial assertion.

  • Option (D) existence of organisms is attributed to a creator: The passage directly challenges the notion that a divine creator is responsible for the existence and subsequent perishing of millions of species. It explicitly contrasts creationist doctrines with Darwinian explanations, thereby rejecting the attribution of life's existence to a creator. Therefore, this option contradicts the passage's argument.