A prosecutor at the proceedings at San Mauro Pascoli accused the father of evolutionary theory of “not being an academic because he waited over 20 years to publish his revolutionary findings out of fear of the Church and his own hesitancy to stand up for his science”.
The accuser, Marco Ferraguti, a professor at the University of Milan, didn’t play the creationist card, which he doesn’t believe in, but highlighted the allegedly “nebulous” aspects of Darwin’s personality, focusing on the long-delayed publication of The Origin of Species.
“In 1838, all the elements of his theory of evolution were already present,” he said.
“Why then did he wait 20 years before publishing this revolutionary book? Because he was greatly afraid: both of the clergy’s reaction and of having made a mistake and being ridiculed by his contemporaries.
“Because Darwin was not an academic.”
Responding to the accusations was Stefano Mazzotti, director of the Natural History Museum of Ferrara, who summarised the theory of evolution in six points: variability of traits; overproduction of offspring; struggle for existence; natural selection; heredity; and geographical isolation.
“Darwin’s genius,” he said, “was to conceive of man as part of the tree of life. And if we look at current issues, Darwin must still be a beacon today. What is worrying today is the mistrust of the theory of evolution.”
Mazzotti’s defence garnered 605 votes in favour with 98 against and 87 abstentions.
ANSA
