The “Darwinian Revolution” as a Presentist Discourse: Ideological Implications Beyond the Anglo-Saxon Context

The history of evolutionary theory usually focuses on discussing its development and impact in specific countries such as the United States, Britain, France, and Germany. Although traditions analyse the introduction of Darwin’s ideas in diverse cultural contexts, the starting point is a continued reassertion of diffusionism. In addition, given that biologists have strongly driven the history of biology, presentism is an approach often used, especially to defend the logic of the “Darwinian Revolution” itself. This commentary aims to reflect on diffusionism and presentism’s impact in the specific case of Mexico. Part of the argument will focus on contrasting the approaches of both biologists and historians regarding the history of biology. On the other hand, the consequences of the “Darwinian Revolution” on the conception of biology in Mexico will be discussed.