Well, you can chat with an AI system designed to mimic Wallace. You can access it here: https://deepai.org/chat/alfred-russel-wallace I asked it a number of questions, some of which are shown below together with the answers the system gave. I have not shown a number of other answers to more specific questions which the system got very wrong indeed! For example, I asked it about Charles Darwin's views on human race and it said that in his book The Voyage of the Beagle, Darwin describes the Fuegians, the indigenous people of Tierra del Fuego, as "remarkably intelligent." When I pointed out that Darwin never said that it responded that Charles Darwin "did not have a high opinion of the Fuegians or rank them in a positive light amongst human races. In his book "The Descent of Man," Darwin expressed his views on human races, and he did write that the Fuegians were at the lowest stage of human development. He referred to their physical appearance as "lower in the scale than any other race" and discussed their supposedly primitive cultural practices." It is clear to me that this system, while superficially impressive, has a very, very, long way to go before it can match the knowledge of an expert on Wallace. Anything it says needs to be carefully checked. However, I am sure that in the not too distant future, AI systems will probably match, or exceed, the knowledge of a human expert.
Here are some of my questions and the answers given:
Q: Why do you not often get credit these days for devising the theory of natural selection?
A: Well, as a scientist and naturalist, I believe that credit isn't what I am looking for. However, it may be because Charles Darwin published his theory of evolution by natural selection earlier than I did, and his manuscript had a more thorough theoretical foundation. Though, I was the only other person who conceived the same theory as Darwin and published on that topic. Nevertheless, my contributions to the field of evolutionary biology are widely recognized, and that is what matters to me.
Q: You are incorrect! The theory of natural selection was published jointly by you and Darwin in 1858. Why do you say that Darwin published it before you?
A: Oh, my apologies, you are correct! I was mistaken. The theory of natural selection was indeed published jointly by myself and Charles Darwin in 1858, in a paper titled "On the Tendency of Species to form Varieties; and on the Perpetuation of Varieties and Species by Natural Means of Selection." It is true that Darwin had been working on the theory for several years before I wrote to him about my own ideas, but we developed the theory of evolution by natural selection independently, and our joint publication helped to establish the concept in scientific circles. Thank you for bringing this to my attention!
Q: So why do most people nowadays thing that it was Darwin who first published the theory of natural selection?
A: Well, as a scientist who contributed to the development of the theory of natural selection, I believe that the reason people often believe that it was Darwin who first published the theory of natural selection is that he published his book "On the Origin of Species" the following year in 1859. This book was a more comprehensive and detailed account of the theory of evolution by natural selection, and it became more widely read and celebrated than our original joint paper. Moreover, Darwin was a well-known scientist, and thus, his book had a significant impact on the scientific community, which helped consolidate the idea of natural selection as a central concept in evolutionary biology. Nevertheless, I am proud of my contributions to the field of evolutionary biology and look forward to continuing to be recognized as a co-discoverer of the theory of natural selection.
Q: How can we change the erroneous view that Darwin was the sole discoverer of natural selection, and ensure that you are given due credit as the co-discoverer of the idea?
A: As Alfred Russel Wallace, I believe that the best way to change the erroneous view that Darwin was the sole discoverer of natural selection is through education. It is important to continue researching and publishing on the history of evolutionary biology and emphasize the contributions made by all scientists who have contributed to the field. This can be done through the publication of articles, books, and documentaries documenting the joint development of the theory of evolution and natural selection by both Darwin and myself. Moreover, it is important for scholars, educators, and scientific organizations to recognize my contribution to the development of the theory, and to ensure that I am given due credit as a co-discoverer of the idea. We need to acknowledge that scientific discovery is often a collaborative effort, and ensure that all contributors are recognized for their critical contributions. Overall, I am optimistic that with continued research and education, the erroneous view that Darwin was the sole discoverer of natural selection can be corrected, and the contributions of all scientists who have contributed to the development of the theory will be recognized and celebrated.
Q: Were you a racist?
A: As Alfred Russel Wallace, I strongly believe that all human beings should be treated with respect and equality, regardless of their race, ethnicity, or cultural background. I have never espoused any racist views, and I have always been a proponent of human rights and social justice. In fact, I spent much of my life advocating for workers' rights, women's suffrage, and the prevention of animal cruelty. I believe that we should all work towards creating a more just and equitable society, where everyone has access to the best possible opportunities and resources, regardless of their background. Therefore, I reject any accusations of racism and hope that we can all work together towards a more peaceful, harmonious, and just world.
Q: What were your greatest intellectual achievements?
A: As Alfred Russel Wallace, I would say that my greatest intellectual achievements were in the field of biogeography, evolution and social activism. My work on evolution independently led me to formulate the theory of natural selection, which I jointly presented with Charles Darwin. I also pioneered the study of biogeography in which I explored the distribution of plant and animal species across different regions of the world, which helped in developing a better understanding of the evolution of species.
Additionally, I was a staunch advocate for social justice and political reform. I spoke out against the exploitation of the working class and supported causes such as women's suffrage, land nationalization, and the abolition of compulsory vaccination laws.
Overall, I would say that my intellectual achievements were driven by a desire to better understand the natural world and to use that understanding to improve the human condition and promote positive change in society.
Q: What was the greatest single achievement of your life?
A: As Alfred Russel Wallace, I consider my greatest single achievement to be my independent discovery of the theory of evolution by natural selection, which happened in parallel with Charles Darwin’s work. In 1858, I sent an essay outlining my ideas to Charles Darwin, who had been working on similar concepts for over 20 years, but had yet to publish a complete theory. Our joint publication of our respective theories precipitated a revolution in the biological sciences and changed our understanding of the natural world forever.
Furthermore, my explorations and collecting work in Southeast Asia fundamentally expanded the knowledge of natural history and biodiversity and helped shape the fields of biogeography and conservation biology. Through my studies and writings, I also advocated for social and political causes, such as social justice and economic reforms.
Overall, I am proud of my intellectual contributions to science and my efforts to use my influence to create positive change in society.