Skip to main content

If evolution is real, then why are there still apes and monkeys on Earth?

There are some common misconceptions regarding evolution that I think may have prompted your question. The first misconception is that humans evolved "from" apes or monkeys. The truth is that humans are a kind of ape, although a relatively hairless variety, and we are essentially evolutionary "cousins" to other apes rather than the evolutionary "grandchildren." All existing species of apes descended from a common ancestor, and before that there was a common ancestor which gave way to monkeys and apes. 

The second misconception I believe to be at work here is the common opinion that humans are the ideal form. Some people feel that humans are the best species to ever have existed, and that some day, all existing species will give way to human-like forms. I will explain more in just a moment about how this is not even possible, but for now I would like to mention that it is teleological. Teleology assumes that all changes are in a certain direction, with a predictable or desired end result. In this case, Homo sapiens or being human-like is the desired, valuable end result. In reality, being human-like is only valuable to us--humans! A fish has no desire or need to be human-like beyond basic characteristics that all animals share. Fish don't have a need to walk on two legs or communicate socially. If they did, they wouldn't be fish.


Evolution is the result of two major forces--one is mutation (lots and lots of random changes in genes) and the other is environment. When a certain gene or set of genes helps an organism to thrive in their environment, it is more likely to be passed on. Environments are constantly changing, though, so organisms have to change to keep up! Evolution describes this long-term process of changes which help an organism to survive in their specific environment. So, returning to your original question about why monkeys and apes still exist, it's because these species are well adapted for their environments, and we humans are well adapted for ours. 


The Smithsonian has a great website all about human evolution and where we came from! There's even a "family tree" depicting the many evolutionary changes that have occurred throughout our history. If you look at some of the photos of faces and bodies of the many species we can consider "cousins," you may see that as you go further back in time, the more species in our lineage resemble chimpanzees. That's because humans and chimpanzees are descended from a common ancestor. If chimps are our "cousins," then this (as yet unidentified) common ancestor is "grandma"!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What is the meaning of "juggling fiends" in Macbeth?

Macbeth is beginning to realize that the three witches have been deceiving him since he first encountered them. Like jugglers, they have kept changing their forecasts in order create confusion. This is particularly apparent when the Second Apparition they raise in Act IV,   Scene 1 tells him that no man of woman born can overcome him in hand-to-hand battle--and then Macbeth finds himself confronted by the one man he has been avoiding out of a... Macbeth is beginning to realize that the three witches have been deceiving him since he first encountered them. Like jugglers, they have kept changing their forecasts in order create confusion. This is particularly apparent when the Second Apparition they raise in Act IV,   Scene 1 tells him that no man of woman born can overcome him in hand-to-hand battle--and then Macbeth finds himself confronted by the one man he has been avoiding out of a sense of guilt, and that man tells him: Despair thy charm. And let the angel whom thou still hast serve...
Post a Comment
Read more

Discuss movements that were inspired by the Civil Rights Movement and list one success for each group.

African-Americans contributed in a very big way during World War II. These contributions were demonstrated at home and on the battlefield. After the war, African-Americans properly felt it was time for them to achieve equality with white Americans. During the 1950's, the modern Civil Rights Movement was born and it had a number of successes (integration of the military and Brown vs. Board of Education as examples.) This success inspired other activists to demand change... African-Americans contributed in a very big way during World War II. These contributions were demonstrated at home and on the battlefield. After the war, African-Americans properly felt it was time for them to achieve equality with white Americans. During the 1950's, the modern Civil Rights Movement was born and it had a number of successes (integration of the military and Brown vs. Board of Education as examples.) This success inspired other activists to demand change for their agendas. Two examples of moveme...
Post a Comment
Read more

In Martel's Life of Pi, how does writing a diary help Pi Patel build on his leadership skills?

At the end of chapter 73, Pi first divulges the fact that he had started a diary after about a week alone at sea. Pi claims that he wrote about "practical stuff" (208) such as what he caught for food, foreseeable problems and solutions, Richard Parker, and reflections about specific events that occurred. In a sense, Pi is the captain of his ship; therefore, he must take responsibility for himself and his crew. He can... At the end of chapter 73, Pi first divulges the fact that he had started a diary after about a week alone at sea. Pi claims that he wrote about "practical stuff" (208) such as what he caught for food, foreseeable problems and solutions, Richard Parker, and reflections about specific events that occurred. In a sense, Pi is the captain of his ship; therefore, he must take responsibility for himself and his crew. He can do this by writing down events, problems and solutions, and reflections to look back on when confronted with repeated problems. It can ...
Post a Comment
Read more