Evolutionary theorist James Burnett, Lord Monboddo

monboddo analysed man s relation other species

monboddo considered scholars precursive thinker in theory of evolution. however, modern evolutionary historians not give monboddo equally high standing in influence of history of evolutionary thought.

monboddo: scottish jurist , pioneer anthropologist explored origins of language , society , anticipated principles of darwinian evolution.


wavering, extended rousseau s doctrine of identity of species of man , chimp hypothesis of common descent of anthropoids, , suggested implication general law of evolution. lovejoy.

charles neaves, 1 of monboddo s successors on high court of scotland, believed proper credit not given monboddo in evolutionary theory development. neaves wrote in verse:

though darwin proclaims law
and spreads far abroad, o!
the man first secret saw
was honest old monboddo.
the architect precedence takes
of him bears hod, o!
so , @ them, land of cakes,
we ll vindicate monboddo.

erasmus darwin notes monboddo s work in publications (darwin 1803). later writers consider monboddo s analysis precursive theory of evolution. whether charles darwin read monboddo not certain. monboddo debated buffon regarding man s relationship other primates. charles darwin did not mention monboddo, commented on buffon: first author in modern times has treated [evolution] in scientific spirit buffon . buffon thought man species unrelated lower primates, monboddo rejected buffon s analysis , argued anthropoidal ape must related species of man: referred anthropoidal ape brother of man . monboddo suffered setback, in standing on evolutionary thought, because stated @ 1 time men had caudal appendages (tails); historians failed take him after remark, though monboddo known bait critics preposterous sayings.

bailey s holly , horn states charles darwin degree influenced theories of monboddo, deserves title of evolutionist more of eccentric. henderson says:

[monboddo] minor celebrity in edinburgh because considered eccentric. came idea men may have evolved instead of being created god. views dismissed because people thought mad, , in days controversial view hold. felt logical possibility , caused him great deal of consternation. did not want believe theory because religious person.

monboddo may first person associate language skills evolving primates , continuing evolve in humans (monboddo, 1773). wrote how language capability has altered on time in form not of skills physical form of sound producing organs (mouth, vocal cords, tongue, throat), suggesting had formed concept of evolutionary adaptive change.

left right: lord kames, hugo arnot , lord monboddo, john kay

he elaborates on advantages created adaptive change of primates environment , evolving complexity of primate social structures. in 1772 in letter james harris, monboddo articulated theory of language evolution (harris 1772) part of manner man had advanced lower animals, clear precedent of evolutionary thought. furthermore, established detailed theory of how man adaptively acquired language cope better environment , social needs. argued development of language linked procession of events: first developing use of tools, social structures , language. concept quite striking era, because departed classical religious thinking man created instantaneously , language revealed god. in fact, monboddo religious , pointed out creation events allegories , did not dispute universe created god. monboddo vigorous opponent of other scientific thinking philosophically questioned role of god (see monboddo s prolific diatribes on newton s theories).

as agriculturist , horse-breeder, monboddo quite aware of significance of selective breeding , transferred breeding theory communications had james boswell in boswell s selection of mate. monboddo has stated in own works degenerative qualities can inherited successive generations , selective choice of mates, creatures can improve next generation in biological sense. suggests monboddo understood role of natural processes in evolution; artificial selection starting-point many of proto-evolutionary thinkers, , darwin himself.

monboddo struggled how man animal without divine intervention. typical of kind of thinking called deist. developed entire theory of language evolution around egyptian civilisation assist in understanding of how man descended animals, since explained flowering of language upon spinoff of egyptians imparting language skills other cultures. monboddo cast humans wild, solitary, herbivorous quadrupeds. believed contemporary people suffered many diseases because removed environmental state of being unclothed , exposed extreme swings in climate.

burnett wrote of numerous cultures (mostly based upon accounts of explorers); example, described insensibles , wood eaters in of origin , progress of language. fascinated nature of these peoples language development , how fit evolutionary scheme.

against this, monboddo s contribution evolution today regarded historians of evolution being notable.

bowler acknowledges argument apes might represent earliest form of humanity (monboddo 1774), continues:

[monboddo] regarded humans (including savages , apes) quite distinct rest of animal kingdom. first suggestion human species descended via apes lower animals did not come until lamarck s philosophie zoologique of 1809.

charles dickens knew of monboddo , wrote in novel, life , adventures of martin chuzzlewit (...) manboddo doctrine touching probability of human race having once been monkeys . significant because martin chuzzlewit published decades before darwin wrote theory of evolution.

the history of theory of evolution relatively modern field of scholarship.