Understanding Evolution: Why is it so hard, and what can educators do?

Abstract

This paper is a discussion of the intuitive biological thought processes that interfere with the understanding of evolution, mainly essentialism and teleology. I compare the aspects of these thought processes with Darwin’s logic progression for his conclusion of the mechanism of evolution, natural selection, as stated in Mayr (1982). I also include the applicable parts of the Evolutionary Synthesis (Futuyma, 2005). There are teaching recommendations suggested by the literature in this paper as well as a list of resources available to the public.