doctrine of descent

British  

noun

1. the theory that animals and plants arose by descent from previously existing organisms; theory of evolution

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

doctrine of descent

De Vries' theory in no way affects the doctrine of descent, nor does it take away from the importance of natural selection in fixing the variations.

From Sociology and Modern Social Problems by Ellwood, Charles A. (Charles Abram)

To establish convincingly the doctrine of descent with modification as a theory of species, it was necessary for him to develop the theory of adaptation which we now know as natural selection.

From Popular Science Monthly Oct, Nov, Dec, 1915 — Volume 86 by Anonymous

At all events, our diagnoses must be freed from these intermediate breaks or failures in the chain of continuity, or the doctrine of descent must tumble with the imaginary foundations on which it is built.

From Life: Its True Genesis by Wright, R. W.

Then the doctrine of descent was struggling for existence against principalities and powers both temporal and spiritual, and then it was still relevant to pit it against the theory of special creations.

From Herbert Spencer by Thomson, J. Arthur (John Arthur)

To those of the present generation, who have grown up in an atmosphere impregnated by the doctrine of descent, the position of the world in 1860 seems "older than a tale written in any book."

From Thomas Henry Huxley; A Sketch Of His Life And Work by Mitchell, P. Chalmers (Peter Chalmers)