How to think like Charles Darwin

1. HOW TO THINK
LIKE
CHARLES DARWIN
BISSUEL Pierre 1

2. 2
DEVELOPING YOUR POWER OF OBSERVATION AND
OPENING YOUR MIND:
“With such moderate abilities as I possess, it is truly
surprising that I should have influenced to a considerable
extent the belief of scientific men on some important
points . . . I think I am superior to the common run of men
in noticing things which easily escape attention, and in
observing them carefully. My industry has been nearly as
great as it could have been in the observation and
collection of facts. What is far more important, my love of
natural science has been steady and ardent.”
Charles Darwin

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DEVELOPING YOUR POWER OF OBSERVATION AND
OPENING YOUR MIND:
Keys:
• Meticulous and comprehensive observations
• Collection of facts
• Love of natural science

4. 4
DEVELOPING YOUR POWER OF OBSERVATION AND
OPENING YOUR MIND:
Keys:
• Wonderfully open and inquisitive mind
• Long pondering, patience and industry
• Keep the focus on his ideas and their dissemination

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THE EVOLUTION OF A GENIUS:
Passion and skill for hunting
 Observing and reasoning
 Taste for natural history and for collecting specimens
 Enthusiasm, attention to detail

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THE EVOLUTION OF A GENIUS:
 Capacity for total absorption in his subject
 Serious interest in the natural sciences
 Openness to new ideas
 Keep his mind free

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THE POWER OF OBSERVATION:
 Effective use of his unaffected passion for the nature
 Love of science
 Unbounded patience in long reflecting over my subject
 Industry in observing and collecting facts
 Fair share of invention as well as of common sense
 Voyage of the Beagle to refine his skills

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VOYAGE OF THE BEAGLE:
 Most important event in his life
 Observations on flora, fauna, and geology
 Pleasure of investigation
 Strong desire to add a few facts
The voyage of the Beagle, 1831–1836

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 First man to frame the idea of evolution as a
comprehensive and well-supported scientific theory
 How ? With remarkable attention to detail
Fundamental component of his self-described “methodical
working style
 Mastery of an abundance of information
THE POWER OF OBSERVATION:

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 Prove the veracity of his work through scientific method
rather than showmanship or bombast
 Famously gentle demeanor and consistent self-
effacement
 He gave credit to what he did with the mind he had
 Dedicated effort to make the most of his mental abilities
A GENTLE NATURE, A GIANT IMPACT:

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Darwin died in 1882, and after great controversy, was
buried in Westminster Abbey as a symbol of reconciliation
between science and faith.
A GENTLE NATURE, A GIANT IMPACT:

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END
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