# Darwinism > Definition: Definition: > A theory of biological [evolution](https://wiki.g15e.com/pages/Evolution.txt) developed by the English naturalist [Charles Darwin](https://wiki.g15e.com/pages/Charles%20Darwin.txt) and others, stating that all species of organisms arise and develop through the [natural selection](https://wiki.g15e.com/pages/Natural%20selection.txt) of small, inherited variations that increase the individual's ability to compete, survive, and reproduce.[^1] ## Footnotes [^1]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darwinism