To what extent is the concept of evolution accepted as fact in the world of biology?

Question

If you like, a 1-10 scale, 1 as not at all and 10 as completely accepted.

Or any other measure you so choose, matey.

Answer 1

I have a Ph.D in Biology and have worked in the field for over 15 years. There is nearly universal acceptance of micro-evolution (changes in gene frequencies, etc). However, there is definately not complete acceptence of Evolution to explain the origins of mankind. From numerous discussion with colleagues over the years, I'd put the number at around 8 (80%). Anyone who says 10, is deluding himself. There are Ph.D. holding, religious nut-jobs even in biology.

Answer 2

Evolution is a factual event that has been observed to occur, and therefore would definitely be a solid 10 on your scale.

The Theory of Evolution through Natural Selection as the explanation of how the observed fact of evolution in living organisms has occurred would also be a 10 within the field of biology.

Sadly, the horrific and appalling state of the American educational system has reduced this acceptance to about a 3 amongst the general populace of the United States. Most other western nations have a much higher acceptance of evolution. Judging from the answers I've seen in other evolution related questions here, even those Americans who support evolution don't understand it very well.

Answer 3

The term evolution is fact (10), meaning a transformation in a gene pool over the years. The flu virus evolves each 365 days because of the previous 365 days's vaccine. that's why we've a clean vaccine each 365 days. the actual debate it human evolution. That thought is that guy developed variety a lesser species that's a trouble-free ancestor to monkeys. Creationists will supply this a nil or a one million. Scientists might supply it around a 8 or 9.

Answer 4

10, although many scientists do not use words like "fact," because the point of science is that anything, no matter how well accepted (even gravity or Earth being round!), can theoretically be proven false if more evidence arises. This is because accepting something fully without allowing for any other options is dogma, which is the opposite of science. So even though most scientists completely believe in evolution and there is a ridiculous amount of evidence in support of it, many scientists would not use the word "fact," which can mislead some people into thinking its not fully accepted by the scientific community.

Answer 5

Almost everything in modern biology, biochemistry, and molecular biology depends on evolution to explain it, to classify it, or to even think about it. It is certainly true that evolution does not explain everything, because not everything is explained. But there are so many lines of evidence for evolution, and it fits into the understanding of these sciences in such an organic way that the idea that "evolution could be wrong" makes no sense. If evolution is wrong, it could only be because life was created to appear in every detail as if it evolved, even though it didn't. The creator would be playing a trick on us. A 10.

Answer 6

Russian Orthodox Christian Theodosius Dobzhansky wrote an essay titled "Nothing in Biology Makes Sense Except in the Light of Evolution", in 1973.

That pretty much sums it up.

A 10.

There are aspects of evolutionary theory that are still debated, but no credible scientist doubts the fundamentals. Even Intelligent Design proponent Michael Behe supports the vast majority of evolutionary theory, he just thinks God popped in every once in a while to give it a nudge.

Answer 7

I'd go with 9. I have known a number of creationists in the same research group that I was in in grad school, so on that basis it can't really be called "unviersal acceptance", but I'd give it "overwhelming acceptance".

Also, in the spirit of science, it's probably better giving it a 9 than a 10, as the general principle is that you're never absolutely certain about very much in the realm of science anyhow.

Answer 8

Evolution is not questioned anywhere at all in the scientific community. The evidence for evolution is overwhelming, and it explains thousands of detail phenomena that cannot be explained otherwise. It is accepted 100 percent.

On your scale of 1-10, evolution is a dazzling 10!

Answer 9

In UK a definite 10. I learnt about it when I was about 10 or 11 years old.
A famous British professor of zoology was saying that he is amazed how many American students (especially those from the southern states) he meets that come over here to study and have never even heard of it. Obviously it is' kept under wraps'

Answer 10

10. You're talking about science. Science is based on scientific concepts. In the world of science, evolution is recognized as fact even if the terminology refers to it as theory. Remember, gravity is a theory too but you don't see anyone believing it doesn't exist.