Darwinism vs. Evolution — What's the Difference?

A 19th-century evolutionary theory.

A scientific theory encompassing various mechanisms of change.

Emphasis on survival of the fittest.

Describes the history and development of life.

Represents a specific mechanism of evolutionary change.

A continuous and ongoing process.

Charles Darwin's specific contribution to evolutionary biology.

Evolution is change in the heritable characteristics of biological populations over successive generations. These characteristics are the expressions of genes that are passed on from parent to offspring during reproduction.

The theory of evolution by natural selection.

The process by which different kinds of living organism are believed to have developed from earlier forms during the history of the earth.

Darwinism is a theory of biological evolution developed by the English naturalist Charles Darwin (1809–1882) and others, stating that all species of organisms arise and develop through the natural selection of small, inherited variations that increase the individual's ability to compete, survive, and reproduce. Also called Darwinian theory, it originally included the broad concepts of transmutation of species or of evolution which gained general scientific acceptance after Darwin published On the Origin of Species in 1859, including concepts which predated Darwin's theories.

The gradual development of something

A theory of biological evolution developed by Charles Darwin and others, stating that all species of organisms have developed from other species, primarily through natural selection. Also called Darwinian theory.

The giving off of a gaseous product, or of heat

Alternative case form of Darwinism.

A pattern of movements or manoeuvres

The theory or doctrines put forth by Darwin. See above.

The extraction of a root from a given quantity.

A theory of organic evolution claiming that new species arise and are perpetuated by natural selection

A gradual process in which something changes into a different and usually more complex or better form.

A result of this process; a development

Change in the genetic composition of a population during successive generations, often resulting in the development of new species. The mechanisms of evolution include natural selection acting on the genetic variation among individuals, mutation, migration, and genetic drift.

The historical development of a related group of organisms; phylogeny.

(Astronomy) Change in the structure, chemical composition, or dynamical properties of a celestial object or system such as a planetary system, star, or galaxy. Evolution often changes the observable or measurable characteristics of the object or system.

A movement that is part of a set of ordered movements

(Mathematics) The extraction of a root of a quantity.

A change of position.

(military) A manoeuvre of troops or ships.

A turning movement, especially of the body.

(obsolete) A turned or twisted shape; an involution, a complex or intricate shape.

An unfolding.

The act or process of unfolding or opening out; the progression of events in regular succession.

(geometry) The opening out of a curve; now more generally, the gradual transformation of a curve by a change of the conditions generating it.

The extraction of a root from a given power.

(chemistry) The act or an instance of giving off gas; emission.

Process of development.

Development; the act or result of developing what was implicit in an idea, argument etc.

A process of gradual change in a given system, subject, product etc., especially from simpler to more complex forms.

(biology) The transformation of animals, plants and other living things into different forms (now understood as a change in genetic composition) by the accumulation of changes over successive generations.

The act of unfolding or unrolling; hence, any process of growth or development; as, the evolution of a flower from a bud, or an animal from the egg.

A series of things unrolled or unfolded.

The formation of an involute by unwrapping a thread from a curve as an evolute.

The extraction of roots; - the reverse of involution.

A prescribed movement of a body of troops, or a vessel or fleet; any movement designed to effect a new arrangement or disposition; a maneuver.

A general name for the history of the steps by which any living organism has acquired the morphological and physiological characters which distinguish it; a gradual unfolding of successive phases of growth or development.

That theory of generation which supposes the germ to preëxist in the parent, and its parts to be developed, but not actually formed, by the procreative act; - opposed to epigenesis.

That series of changes under natural law which involves continuous progress from the homogeneous to the heterogeneous in structure, and from the single and simple to the diverse and manifold in quality or function. The process is by some limited to organic beings; by others it is applied to the inorganic and the psychical. It is also applied to explain the existence and growth of institutions, manners, language, civilization, and every product of human activity. The agencies and laws of the process are variously explained by different philosophrs.

A process in which something passes by degrees to a different stage (especially a more advanced or mature stage);

(biology) the sequence of events involved in the evolutionary development of a species or taxonomic group of organisms

The process by which species change over time.

Responsible for the adaptation and diversification of organisms.

Darwinism provided a naturalistic explanation for the diversity of life.

Darwinism refers to Charles Darwin's theory of natural selection.

No, the concept of evolution predates Darwin, but he provided a mechanism through Darwinism.

No, while natural selection is a primary driver, other mechanisms like genetic drift also play a role in evolution.

Charles Darwin proposed the theory.

No, there are other mechanisms and theories that contribute to the broader concept of evolution.

Yes, traits can evolve due to other factors like genetic drift or gene flow.

Our understanding has expanded with new theories, fossil evidence, and genetic research building upon and refining the ideas of Darwinism.

Evolution is the broad process of species changing over time, while Darwinism focuses on the mechanism of natural selection.

The primary focus of Darwinism is natural selection or survival of the fittest.

No, Darwinism is a subset of theories under the broader concept of evolution.

While the scientific consensus supports evolution, there have been societal and religious debates regarding Darwinism.

The theory was introduced in the 19th century.

While the broader concept of evolution is widely accepted, there are ongoing discussions about the specifics and mechanisms, including those of Darwinism.

Yes, evolution is continuous and occurs over generations.