Who proposed the theory of inheritance of acquired characters?

The theory of inheritance of acquired characters was proposed by Lamarck, who suggested that organisms can pass on traits acquired during their lifetime to their offspring. This idea stems from the belief that an individual's behavior can result in physical changes, which could then be inherited by the next generation. For example, Lamarck famously used the example of giraffes stretching their necks to reach higher leaves; he argued that this effort led to longer necks in their descendants.

Lamarck’s views were a significant departure from those of his contemporaries and laid groundwork for future discussions about evolution and inheritance. His theory contrasts with later views that emphasized genetic inheritance as the primary mechanism of evolution, which were supported by the work of scientists like Weismann and Darwin, who provided alternative explanations grounded in natural selection and hereditary principles. By recognizing Lamarck’s contribution, we can appreciate the evolution of biological thought regarding heredity and evolution.