The Tenets of Darwinian Theory

Darwinian theory is based on several tenets:

1. Species tend to produce more individuals than can be accommodated.
2. Variations occur among offspring. Some variations yield a greater capacity to adapt to the environment and, thus, to survive. Such variations are significant when they are inheritable.
3. Certain forms are thus better able to survive than are others. This is referred to as natural selection, or survival of the fittest. Variations that are inheritable make evolution inevitable.