Evolution Born of Moisture: Analogies and Parallels Between Anaximander’s Ideas on Origin of Life and Man and Later Pre-Darwinian and Darwinian Evolutionary Concepts

Abstract

This study focuses on the origin of life as presented in the thought of Anaximander of Miletus but also points to some parallel motifs found in much later conceptions of both the pre-Darwinian German romantic science and post-Darwinian biology. According to Anaximander, life originated in the moisture associated with earth (mud). This moist environment hosted the first living creatures that later populated the dry land. In these descriptions, one can trace the earliest hints of the notion of environmental adaptation. The origin of humans was seen as connected in some way with fish: ancient humans were supposed to have developed inside fish-like animals. Anaximander took into account changes in the development of living creatures (adaptations) and speculated on the origins of humans. Similar ideas are found also in the writings of much later, eighteenth and nineteenth century authors who were close to the tradition of German romantic science. We do not argue that these later concepts are in any way directly linked with those of the pre-Socratics, but they show surprising parallels in, e.g., the hypothesis that life originated in a moist environment or the supposition that human developed from fish-like ancestors. These transformations are seen as a consequence of timeless logic rather than as evolution in historical terms. Despite the accent on the origin of living things, both Anaximander and the later Naturphilosophen lack in their notions the element most characteristic of Darwin's thought, that is, the emphasis on historicity and uniqueness of all that comes into being.

Anaximander: The early way to nurosciences and neurophilosophy

“…In is worth to underline that by studying Anaximander's fragments in our epoch of quantum revolution and analyzing all his concepts on apeiron, cosmology, earth 37 and universe, we remind parallel recent theories on philosophy and science expressed by Pauli 38 Hawking. 39 In addition, Anaximander's theory on biological evolution, which is similar to Darwin's observations and evolutionary concepts, 40 advocates for the reasonable conclusion that Anaximander must be regarded, not only as physical philosopher, metaphysician, real scientist but also as a main theoretical pioneer in the field of Neuroscience and Neurophilosophy, clarifying that science is a continuous effort for unceasing thinking and theoretical quest for approaching the truth. 41…”

Ethical Issues in the Use of Animal Models for Tissue Engineering: Reflections on Legal Aspects, Moral Theory, Three Rs Strategies, and Harm–Benefit Analysis

“…About 5000 years ago, in Classical Antiquity, theorists conveyed that all animals shared their origin and that all emotions in the psyche were inborn in all animals alike and were seated in the heart or gut. [37][38][39] Humans were thought to have differentiated themselves from animals over time, when they had established rulers, laws, crafts, and cities. About 2400 years ago, early Greek physician-scientists, including Aristotle, Erasistratus, and Galen, experimented on living animals to advance their understanding of anatomy, physiology, pathology, and pharmacology, and to test surgical procedures before application on humans.…”

“…This led Bentham to conclude that the crucial question regarding animals is not whether they can talk or reason, but whether they can suffer. In the 19th century, Darwin and Wallace (1858) revived the idea that all animals shared their origin 39,43 and showed that differences in desires, experiences, and faculties between species (human and other animals) are one of degree rather than kind. 44 This shifted public perspective and resulted in the British Cruelty to Animals Act in 1876, the first law specifically aimed at regulating animal testing.…”