Arguments for Natural Selection

Darwin talks extensively on his theory of Natural Selection, yet his best arguments for Natural Selection are his example of adaptation to the environment and extinction. First, he argues that a “physical change” in the environment has the effects the chances of survival of a species. Darwin uses the example of climate to demonstrate how a species must learn to adapt, because without doing so they may die off. Those species who would be “naturally selected” to survive had innate characteristics that made them stronger than those within their species or of other species. Also, Darwin adds to the argument that “change[s] in the conditions of life” may not simply allow a species to survive or die, but creates variability among the species. Both the adaptations to environment and the variability among species are easily understandable and convincing, as one can see the differences within species and which species have survived.
Although Darwin briefly mentions extinction itself, throughout his writing, he constantly implies that those who do not adapt will not survive. The fact that extinction even occurs is perhaps one of the better arguments for Natural selection. Natural selection is used synonymously with “Survival of the fittest,” therefore, those modifications that are beneficial to a species ensures their survival, while those that are not helpful or do not change can cause a species to die out. Extinction, then, is a direct result of Natural Selection. Extinction proves that there is some form of natural improvement within a species, or a natural adaptation to the world. If no changes ever occurred within living things, then there would be no natural reason for a species to die out, as no species would be able to surpass another species. Or, at this point, most species would be extinct because without natural selection, they could not adapt to their ever changing environment. Possibly, the topic of extinction as tangible proof of Natural Selection should have been elaborated on by Darwin.