Describe the different ways that people have sought to understand their origins, from the origin or creation myths to the work of natural scientists such as Charles Darwin, the Leakeys, DuBois, Dart, and Pei

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

ANSWER:
Students should demonstrate an understanding of how creation myths and science play a role in understanding the origins of the human identity. Creation myths define the moral principles that people thought should govern their dealings with the supernatural world, each other, and the rest of nature. They also provide insight into how people's way of life, social divisions, and cultural systems arose. Origin or creation myths serve several purposes in human societies, but because they are not based on material evidence, their historical accuracy cannot be tested. In contrast to origin myths, Darwin's hypothesis in On the Origins of Species that humans evolved from primate ancestors is based on physical evidence and can be confirmed or modified by new evidence. Students should understand the importance of the findings of Darwin and the scientists that followed him. Eugene DuBois' discovery of "Java Man" in Southeast Asia, W. C. Pei's discovery of "Peking Man" in China, and Raymond Dart's discovery in Africa were all important parts of the process that have increased the body of information on human origins. Finally, Mary and Louis Leakey, along with their son Richard, confirmed both Dart's and Darwin's idea of the origin of humanity in Africa.