The topic of natural selection among the species is an interesting one for me, a novice on the subject, to tackle. As I have read in this exerpt from the, Origin of Species, Darwin is arguing the against the theory that, "each species has been independently created". He would like to argue in this report that every organism has a common ancestry, and more notably that "natural selection has been the most important... means of modification." Also in his report he noticably refers to himself, as well as his contemporaries, as naturalists, many times throughout. I believe that this particular worldview of nature, purpose, and existance may help in gathering a better understanding of what paradigms or presuppostions he holds that would lead him to accept the theory of natural selecion.
In this report, Darwin is appealing to fellow biologists, namely those who are naturalists, and trying to drive them from thier previous theory of mutability, all variation in nature is caused by natural mutation or adaptation to each creatures particular environment, to a theory of natural selection. He is also arguing against the theory of independent creation, where a species appears without the host of a common ancestor.
In doing all of this Darwin admits that he was met with some hostility from his fellow natualists in their accepting his newfound theory. In one part he states "I have been much censured for having thus expressed myself." He is mentioning this in the context that many of his naturalist collegues "never once met with any sympathetic agreement," when speaking on evolution.
In conclusion, this exerpt from the his work seems to not so much explain his theory, yet it is trying to appeal to the mindset in which the naturalist, scientist, biologist or whomever takes in accepting or rejecting a newfound theory. He is trying to show the fault in their logic and attempts to just argue his point in contrast to presenting evidence and allowing it to speak for itself. Interesting piece which really shed light on Darwin's struggle to have his theory accepted within the scientific community.
