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Maria Rojas

April 16, 2012

The Heroic Narrative in Science: Darwin



       Catherine Milne’s essay “Philosophically Correct Science Stories? Examining the

Implications of Heroic Science Stories for School Science” presents three different kinds of

heroic scientists: 1) the cautious and deprecating scientist, 2) the well-connected brilliant

scientist, and 3) the “acolyte of nature” scientist. Although the scientists we have discussed thus

far tend to fit perfectly well into one of these categories, Charles Darwin is an exception. Instead

of fitting into one category, Darwin fits into all, but it depends on what sources or versions are

being used.

       For example, as seen in the drama entitled Darwin’s Darkest Hour, Charles Darwin

seems to be very cautious when presenting his work. As the scientific hero type one, Darwin is

not sure whether or not to publish his work on the theory of evolution and natural selection. On

one hand, he knows that there are social implications to his work that are incompatible with the

orthodox religious values of his day. To protect his family from public aggression or attacks, he

delays the publishing of his work. On the other hand, however, if he delays too long or does not

publish at all, there is the possibility of having someone else publish similar work, devaluating

his own brilliant theory. In other words, all the work he has done throughout his life would be

virtually useless. In here, the second part of being scientific hero type one does not fit well with

Darwin. He is not deprecating of his achievements, but rather knows how significant it is.

       Furthermore, Darwin also seems to fit well into the second category of scientific hero.

Under this category, the scientist is brilliant, well connected, attended the “rights institution,”
and is a “central member of the science culture” (Milne, pg. 185). From the biographical

presentation, we know that Darwin comes from wealthy parents and had a famous grandfather.

Yet, it is in Mr. Darwin’s Shooter that we can truly see how Darwin’s background helped him

achieve his accomplishments. Through the comparison of Syms Covington to Charles Darwin,

the outcome of Darwin’s success almost seems inevitable. In a world were social-class means

everything; Covington had limited possibilities back in Britain. Darwin, on the other hand, had a

father supporting him, had several people working for him (therefore having more time to

develop his ideas), and had connections in the scientific world. Hence, it is no surprise that a

wealthy and brilliant scientist (Darwin) ends up publishing the outstanding work of On the

Origins of Species.

        Lastly, the third type of scientist—the acolyte of nature—can also reflect Charles

Darwin’s work on the theory of evolution and natural selection. In Darwin’s Shooter, Darwin is

presented as a solitary and focused scientist, with a mind in his own little world. Although he is

working with Covington, Darwin seems distant and cold. Yet, at the same time however, he has a

passion for observing nature, loves examining fossils, collecting specimens, and takes numerous

notes down. As we can see in Chapter 5 of The Voyage of the Beagle, Darwin is enthusiastic

about every observation he sees throughout the voyage. While doing so, he speculates on ideas

that eventually lead him to his theory of evolution. After all, what could all these observations

mean?

        Hence, once we combined all these three types of scientific heroes into one, we get

Charles Darwin. He is a unique scientist that incorporates several aspects of different scientific

heroes, and in return influences public perception on what a scientist is. He embodies the aloof,

cautious, wealthy, and brilliant scientist, who is always working with nature meticulously. When
combined, these three types of scientific heroes reinforce the popular image that a scientist is far

apart from the “real” world, and to a certain degree, it is more difficult to attain his status. A

scientist must to be brilliant and well connected, as both “who you know” and “what you know”

play a role in the scientist’s success. Furthermore, a scientist must love his work, that it almost

seems like it is a full-time hobby. To be specific, a naturalist is probably outdoors most of the

time and continues to get exited every time he notices a new observation. Lastly, a scientist

should (although it is not always the case) be aware of the implications of their science. They

must be cautious with the interpretation of their work and have enough evidence to support it.



Social Implications of Evolution

       As presented in Mr. Darwin’s Shooter and Darwin’s Darkest Hour, Darwin was aware of

the social implications his theory of evolution would elicit in society. Because it went against the

notion of creationism, his theory of evolution and natural selection were in direct conflict with

prevalent social attitudes and values held during his time period. Yet, this conflict between

religion and evolution has continued until today. In America, it is continuously brought up,

especially when concerning public education. Because our Constitution’s explicit separation of

church and state, public schools are prohibited from having religious-based education, but

teachers are permitted to teach evolution. This in return outrageous some parents and religious

population, who have strong values that go against evolution. Hence, public policy and court

actions continue to be debated to this day, and will continue in the future.
Works Cited

Darwin, Charles. The Voyage of the Beagle. Literature.org, 1997. Web. 16 Apr. 2012.

Darwin’s Darkest Hour. Dir. John Bradshaw. Perf. Henry Ian Cusick and Frances O’Connor.

       NOVA, 2009. Film.

McDonald, Roger. Mr. Darwin’s Shooter. New York: Atlantic Monthly Press, 1998. Print.

Milne, Catherine. “Philosophically Correct Science Stories? Examining the Implications of

       Heroic Science Stories for School Science.” Journal of Research in Science Teaching

       35.2 (1998): 175-187. Web. 27 Feb 2010.

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Darwin paper

  • 1. Maria Rojas April 16, 2012 The Heroic Narrative in Science: Darwin Catherine Milne’s essay “Philosophically Correct Science Stories? Examining the Implications of Heroic Science Stories for School Science” presents three different kinds of heroic scientists: 1) the cautious and deprecating scientist, 2) the well-connected brilliant scientist, and 3) the “acolyte of nature” scientist. Although the scientists we have discussed thus far tend to fit perfectly well into one of these categories, Charles Darwin is an exception. Instead of fitting into one category, Darwin fits into all, but it depends on what sources or versions are being used. For example, as seen in the drama entitled Darwin’s Darkest Hour, Charles Darwin seems to be very cautious when presenting his work. As the scientific hero type one, Darwin is not sure whether or not to publish his work on the theory of evolution and natural selection. On one hand, he knows that there are social implications to his work that are incompatible with the orthodox religious values of his day. To protect his family from public aggression or attacks, he delays the publishing of his work. On the other hand, however, if he delays too long or does not publish at all, there is the possibility of having someone else publish similar work, devaluating his own brilliant theory. In other words, all the work he has done throughout his life would be virtually useless. In here, the second part of being scientific hero type one does not fit well with Darwin. He is not deprecating of his achievements, but rather knows how significant it is. Furthermore, Darwin also seems to fit well into the second category of scientific hero. Under this category, the scientist is brilliant, well connected, attended the “rights institution,”
  • 2. and is a “central member of the science culture” (Milne, pg. 185). From the biographical presentation, we know that Darwin comes from wealthy parents and had a famous grandfather. Yet, it is in Mr. Darwin’s Shooter that we can truly see how Darwin’s background helped him achieve his accomplishments. Through the comparison of Syms Covington to Charles Darwin, the outcome of Darwin’s success almost seems inevitable. In a world were social-class means everything; Covington had limited possibilities back in Britain. Darwin, on the other hand, had a father supporting him, had several people working for him (therefore having more time to develop his ideas), and had connections in the scientific world. Hence, it is no surprise that a wealthy and brilliant scientist (Darwin) ends up publishing the outstanding work of On the Origins of Species. Lastly, the third type of scientist—the acolyte of nature—can also reflect Charles Darwin’s work on the theory of evolution and natural selection. In Darwin’s Shooter, Darwin is presented as a solitary and focused scientist, with a mind in his own little world. Although he is working with Covington, Darwin seems distant and cold. Yet, at the same time however, he has a passion for observing nature, loves examining fossils, collecting specimens, and takes numerous notes down. As we can see in Chapter 5 of The Voyage of the Beagle, Darwin is enthusiastic about every observation he sees throughout the voyage. While doing so, he speculates on ideas that eventually lead him to his theory of evolution. After all, what could all these observations mean? Hence, once we combined all these three types of scientific heroes into one, we get Charles Darwin. He is a unique scientist that incorporates several aspects of different scientific heroes, and in return influences public perception on what a scientist is. He embodies the aloof, cautious, wealthy, and brilliant scientist, who is always working with nature meticulously. When
  • 3. combined, these three types of scientific heroes reinforce the popular image that a scientist is far apart from the “real” world, and to a certain degree, it is more difficult to attain his status. A scientist must to be brilliant and well connected, as both “who you know” and “what you know” play a role in the scientist’s success. Furthermore, a scientist must love his work, that it almost seems like it is a full-time hobby. To be specific, a naturalist is probably outdoors most of the time and continues to get exited every time he notices a new observation. Lastly, a scientist should (although it is not always the case) be aware of the implications of their science. They must be cautious with the interpretation of their work and have enough evidence to support it. Social Implications of Evolution As presented in Mr. Darwin’s Shooter and Darwin’s Darkest Hour, Darwin was aware of the social implications his theory of evolution would elicit in society. Because it went against the notion of creationism, his theory of evolution and natural selection were in direct conflict with prevalent social attitudes and values held during his time period. Yet, this conflict between religion and evolution has continued until today. In America, it is continuously brought up, especially when concerning public education. Because our Constitution’s explicit separation of church and state, public schools are prohibited from having religious-based education, but teachers are permitted to teach evolution. This in return outrageous some parents and religious population, who have strong values that go against evolution. Hence, public policy and court actions continue to be debated to this day, and will continue in the future.
  • 4. Works Cited Darwin, Charles. The Voyage of the Beagle. Literature.org, 1997. Web. 16 Apr. 2012. Darwin’s Darkest Hour. Dir. John Bradshaw. Perf. Henry Ian Cusick and Frances O’Connor. NOVA, 2009. Film. McDonald, Roger. Mr. Darwin’s Shooter. New York: Atlantic Monthly Press, 1998. Print. Milne, Catherine. “Philosophically Correct Science Stories? Examining the Implications of Heroic Science Stories for School Science.” Journal of Research in Science Teaching 35.2 (1998): 175-187. Web. 27 Feb 2010.