If it could be demonstrated that any complex organ existed, which could not possibly have been formed by numerous, successive, slight modifications, my theory would absolutely break down. But I can find out no such case.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Darwin admits his theory would fail if an organ existed that couldn't evolve gradually.
- In plain terms
- If complex organs couldn't form through small changes, evolution would be disproven.
- What can you take from it?
- Scientific theories must account for all observable evidence.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What would disprove your beliefs?
- How does science advance?
Another view
Some complex structures are hard to trace evolutionarily.
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