nature to mould and shape evolutionary form34.METHODS OF SCIENTIFIC DEDUCTIONEarly scientists, particularly those in the naturalist field derived most of their conclusions from observed, unproven empirical facts. Without the means of logically explaining scientific theory, the hypothesis was incurred - an educated guess to be proven through experimentation. Darwin developed his theory of natural selection with a viable hypothesis, but predicted his results merely by observing that which was available. Following Lyell's teaching, using modern observations to determine what occurred in the past, Darwin developed theories that "only made sense" - logical from the point of view of the human mind (meaning it was based on immediate human perception) but decidedly illogical from a purely scientific angle. By perusing the works of Malthus did Darwin finally hit upon his theory of natural selection - not actually questioning these conclusions because they fit so neatly into his own puzzle. Early development of logical, analytic scientific theory did not occur u!ntil the advent of philosophe r Rene Descartes in the mid-17th century ("I think therefore I am"35). Natural selection was shown to be sadly lacking where it could not account for how characteristics were passed down to new generations36....
