Is evolution a theory?

Question

The mechanics of evolution may be theory. The precise sequence of evolution may be theory. But that life, the world, the universe are evolving is undeniable.

So, in the broadest sense it is not theory, the same as the sun as center of the Solar System is not theory.

Yeh, but even if God is behind evolution, it is still evolution.

The theory should be titled " The theory of the mechanics of evolution", because evolution itself is observable fact.

Answer 1

Yes, evolution is a theory. Just as the earth is round is a theory, the earth revolves around the sun is a theory, and that relativity is a theory.

It's just that there are no observations that contradict evolution...and a ton of evidence that backs it up (bacterial resistance, fossil record, slight DNA variations between species). Therefore, it is *the* accepted theory that Biologists and Scientists work with.

Answer 2

Yes evolution is a theory, just as the existence of atoms is a theory. No-one has ever seen an atom. Still, atomic theory is currently the best supported theory to explain the observable reactions between types of matter. Evolutionary theory is currently the best supported theory to explain the observable fact that earlier species have been replaced by new species ever since life began on Earth.

If you want to become world famous overnight, propose a tenable alternative scientific theory to replace either atomic theory or evolutionary theory. If you can't, don't be too disappointed. Neither can the world's leading scientists. So, until someone does propose a scientific theory that explains the observable facts better than the current theories, we are stuck with atoms and evolution.

Answer 3

Creationists exploit the different meanings of the word theory in science and everyday life. Evolution and relativity have both been proved beyond reasonable doubt, but scientists still call them theories because the scientific meaning of the word theory is a way to explain observed phenomena, even when it's generally accepted. In everyday life, if you say you've got a theory that the butler was the murderer, you mean that you're not quite sure.

Answer 4

A theory is a set of systems, rules, principles, reasonings etc that are tested but not practised. Evolution is a theory because it has been tested but not practiced. We can say that natural selection over a period of time can result in the evolution of a species but no one has ever lived long enough to wittness this. Because evolution takes such a long time, it will be a while before it is accually wittnessed in practice. Yes, life, the world and the universe are evolving, because that is its natural state. We must evolve along with it to wittness this devine theory and bring fourth our own truth.

Answer 5

Well said. Evolution has been observed and tested. It is fact. People always say that its a theory so it can't be proved. But they obviously don't really know what they are talking about, since the theory is what exactly causes it and exactly how it produced humans.

Answer 6

'undeniable' has to be a (40) page thesis before it's proven. Even then it's published and reviewed for years. Summing that up in one word is dangerous in science and it won't get you anywhere, reguardless which side of the table you are on.

Furthermore, the use of the fallocy won't get you much further.
Premise: The sun can be proven to be the center of the Solar System.
Conclusion: Therefore, evolution can be proven.
Can you see how this does not follow? If you can, what is the name of the basic fallocy you did here?

If you have the courage to look at the method, I get the best answer.
If you want to continue to use bias for logic, enjoy.

Either way...have a good one.

Answer 7

I think that it is a theory because there are alot of hard facts that support answers to many questions. I beleive in evolution, but i also believe that god brought it about.

Answer 8

It is a theory in that it's hard to absolutely, positively show that every single change to every creature was caused by random changes and mutations.

But it's very, VERY well supported by facts, so much so that I believe the only changes being proposed are refinements to bits and pieces here and there.

Answer 9

On the contrary, evolution is NOT observable, because the time periods over which it is said to take place are so vast, and we only have fragments of evidence from specific instances in time. That evidence suggests that changes take place very quickly, and then things stay the say for a long time, and then change again.

Answer 10

If people believe in evolution, why don't they do what evolution requires...? Harris and Kleebold, the guys who shot up Columbine, were wearing evolution themed t shirts and their self-made videotape shows them saying that they are going to wipe out the inferior and weak members of the species. Then they specifically targeted Christians. The sherriff's office that has the tape won't release it, but one of the murdered girls' father has made the fact public.

What it ultimately comes down to is that, if we came from unaware and non-conscious matter by a random process, logically this means that there is no difference between conscious awareness and inanimate matter.

What it ultimately comes down to is that, if we came from matter and energy alone by a random process, there is no reason to say that murder is morally wrong. All the laws on the books could be wrong, and nobody could say with certainty that any of them are right. All one could say is "I don't like it!" and one person's opinion has no better chance of being right than anybody else's. The shared opinion of many people taken together has no more certainty of being right than that of any one person.

If we came from matter and energy alone, there is a giant black hole at the center of the galaxy and the entire Earth is doomed to someday get sucked down into that cosmic crap-hole, and nothing that we have done, are doing, or ever can do, matters.

Does existence have meaning...? Is there a real difference between right and wrong, other than just our opinions...? Does anything that we say or do make a difference...?

Does it matter to you whether your loved one is alive or dead...? Remember, "a live body and a dead body contain the same number of particles, Structurally, there's no discernable difference. Life and death are unquantifiable abstracts." (Watchmen) Even Doctor Manhattan came to recognize the value of life, in the end.

If things like consciousness, justice and meaning are real, then the specific belief in evolution that suggests we came about as a result of inanimate matter and energy and time and chance ALONE must be mistaken. To say otherwise is using some kind of mystical cognitive disconnect.

And if you are going to say that God made us, but we evolved since then, why not admit that we are the finished product that He was aiming at all along, so that we can put confidence in His tremendous competence...?

Only such a transcendent Creator, not dependent in any way on the physical universe-- including matter, energy, space, time, and probability-- can assure us that the value of human life is anything more than something we just ASSUME is true on the basis of zero evidence.