When Charles Darwin set sail on the HMS Beagle, what did he and most of his contemporary scientists think about the origin of species? When Charles Darwin set sail on the HMS Beagle, what did he and most of his contemporary scientists think about the origin of species? Most scientists, including Darwin, thought each species was specially created by God in its present form and did not change over time. Most scientists thought species were the product of natural processes, but Darwin had different ideas. Most scientists, including Darwin, thought species were the product of natural processes and changed over time. Most scientists thought species had been created in their current forms and were unchangeable, but Darwin believed in a natural origin of spe