Darwin's theory of natural selection was influenced by the works of Thomas Malthus, an English political economist. In his “Essay on the Principle of Population,” Thomas Malthus states that there are two fixed laws in nature: “food is necessary for the existence of man” and “passion between the sexes is necessary and will remain almost in its present state.” state." (Malthus 39) Malthus theorized that population increases in a “geometric ratio” while resources for subsistence increase in a “linear ratio.” (Malthus 39) Consequently, mathematical principles reveal that geometric population growth human will rapidly outgrow available resources. Malthus also argues that the two disparate forces of population and resources must be balanced and maintained at fairly equal levels. All species, plants and animals, have a natural tendency to increase their numbers through reproduction .To achieve a balance between reproduction and resources, there must be natural controls on the population such as “seed waste, disease and premature death” among plant animals and “misery and vice” among mankind (Darwin 40). of species, Darwin applies Malthusian principles to all species and not just humankind, and Malthusian logic serves as the primary basis for his monumental theory of natural selection. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay In The Origin of Species, Darwin discusses species variation and notes that there is greater variation in domesticated species than in nature's wild species. It then examines the conditions that contribute to variation, such as the struggle for existence. Darwin states that the struggle for existence is an inevitable consequence of the “high geometric powers of growth” as described by Malthus (Darwin 97). However, rather than limiting the Malthusian idea of ​​geometric increase to human populations, Darwin extends it to all species of the animal and plant kingdoms because all organic beings have the potential to increase exponentially in the absence of carrying capacity and limiting factors such as predation. , disease and resource limitations. According to Darwin, the struggle for existence is ultimately the harsh competition to which all organic beings are exposed due to the limitation of resources that cannot support all the individuals produced. Inherently, the purpose of all organic beings is to survive and grow in numbers by leaving offspring. As a law of nature, most organisms are inclined to increase in a geometric ratio, because most animals reproduce and most plants produce seeds. Although the rates of increase may differ, all organisms increase in numbers high enough to flood the entire planet with their single species (Darwin 109). Darwin presents several examples to demonstrate his ideas mathematically. Darwin states that “even slowly reproducing man has doubled in size in twenty-five years, and at this rate, in a few thousand years, there would be literally no room for his offspring” (Darwin 109). Furthermore, Linnaeus calculated that if a plant produced only two seeds a year, in twenty years the original plant would lead to the production of one million plants. Finally Darwin presents the example of the elephant. If an elephant produces three offspring in its lifetime, by the end of the fifth century there will be fifteen million elephants. In addition to theoretical calculations, there have been real cases in nature where populations have increased enormously under certain circumstances, such as favorable environmental conditions and seasons. Likewise, when species comeplaced in new environments, they can increase exponentially due to the absence of their natural predators. In these cases, populations show a geometric rate of increase and lead to overpopulation. Furthermore, organisms have developed evolutionary strategies that allow them to maximize the number of offspring that survive. In unstable environments where great destruction occurs in the first years of an organism's life, individuals produce large numbers of eggs to ensure that at least some survive. In comparison, in stable environments where individuals are able to protect their young, organisms produce a small number of eggs that can protect and ensure their survival (Darwin 110). If populations increased geometrically, the planet would not be able to support all its inhabitants. Malthus firmly believed that “the human species would increase in the ratio of -1,2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, 128, 256, 512, etc. And subsistence as-1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, etc. In two and a quarter centuries the population would be equal to the means of subsistence as 512 to 10, in three centuries as 4096 to 13, and in two thousand years the difference would be almost incalculable, even if the products in that period would have increased. to an immense extent." (Malthus 40) Therefore, Malthus concludes that the dangerous population growth must be hindered by limiting factors and by some measures such as late marriage or no marriage and birth control. However, Darwin believes that all beings organics must fight against limiting factors and destructive forces. “It is the doctrine of Malthus applied with manifold force to all the animal and vegetable kingdoms; for in this case there can be no artificial increase in food, nor any prudential restriction on marriage (Darwin 97) Individuals must struggle for existence within the same species, with members of other species, or with external environmental conditions. Darwin compares the force of nature to a “yielding surface, with ten thousand sharp wedges squeezed across it.” to each other and driven inward by incessant blows, sometimes one wedge is struck, then another with greater force.” (Darwin 111) Therefore, natural mechanisms exist to impose controls on all populations rather than preventative controls socially instituted that Malthus talks about, such as the restriction of marriage and childbirth. An organism's struggle for existence is an essential part of Darwin's explanation of variation and creation. of different species. Darwin's theory is based on the observation that there is slight variation between individuals and more organisms are produced than can survive. Due to the production of more individuals than can survive, there is competition for resources and a struggle for existence that causes only a few individuals to survive. Therefore, any variation that will provide the least benefit that will allow individuals to better survive and adapt to their environments will be selected. These traits will be passed on to offspring so that the offspring also have a better chance of survival. The process of selection and inheritance will continue for generation after generation, producing new species and driving others to extinction. The theory of natural selection is the cornerstone of Darwin's Origin of Species. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom article from our expert writers now. Get a custom essay "An Essay on the Principle of Population" by Malthus given by Darwin a rationale for intraspecific and interspecific competition, the competition that exists within species and between species. Darwin used Malthusian logic as the basis for his theory concerning the struggle for existence and selection 31).