Evolution: myth or fact? Prove it.?

Question

Just prove it.

Answer 1

It is a theory, as such it cannot be proven or disproven only discussed. It seems to make sense then something happens to make you not believe.

Answer 2

I see a lot of different answers here... Let me try to clear up some of the confusion.

Evolution is both Theory and Fact. There are two sides to the story, the "what" and the "how".

1.) The "what" - Evolution as Fact.

Evolution (defined as allele frequency changes in a population of organisms over time) has been experimentally observed. This is a scientific FACT. There may be many explanations for a fact, but nothing can change an observed fact.

2.) The "how" - Theory of Evolution, by Means of Natural Selection

Natural Selection is the Theory that explains "how" evolution occurred. Prior to Darwin, there were other theories, such as the Lamarckian theory of evolution.

Today, Darwin's theory, Mendel's discoveries on inheritance, together with Watson & Crick's discovery of the structure of DNA, the so-called Modern Synthesis is a fusion of all these ideas under the neodarwinian framework. This unites Darwinian Natural Selection, Mendelian classical genetics, and present-day molecular biology into a unifying THEORY that most scientists agree upon as the most powerful and most logically sound EXPLANATION (the "how") for evolution that we have. We have such overwhelming confidence, backed by hard evidence, in this neodarwinian framework that it has come to be known as the "theory of evolution".

Answer 3

What sort of evidence would you accept? Fossils? Frozen Mammoths? DNA? The Evolution of virii?

A much more interesting question would be, what theory has more evidence than evolution? Is there even another theory that has any significant amount of evidence? Is there another theory that has survived the massive scrutiny Evolution has?

First of all, you have to shed any preconceptions about the truth. You cannot, for instance, allow yourself to be insulted by the suggestion that we share a common ancestor with monkeys.

Second, you can believe in God; but you cannot invoke Him as the originator. The reason is, you can explain *anything* with a reference to God. How do you know when to stop saying "God did it"? I.e. instead of a theory of Gravity, we would have a theory of "God makes things go down". That would be the end of Science.

Answer 4

Proof of evolution has already been found in studies of Endogenous Retroviral Elements in primate mDNA. The standard of proof met with this study is at least as high as DNA evidence admitted in courts, in that the probability of being false is extrremely low, in the order of 1 in billions or higher. The ERV evidence is now incontrovertible that there has been common primate descent. The debate about evolution as fact is over, but for the shouting of the ignorants. To continue saying that evolution hasn't been proven yet it's only a theory is like the time a lot fo people were still saying manned flight is impossible, even as the Wright Brothers were touring their plane in shows across the country. There's now a lot of papers on ERV studies on primate mDNA, but here's one you can look up:

Answer 5

The fact that living things vary from place to place is obvious to any observer. The fact that living things change over time is borne out by the fossil record. The mechanism by which living things change (genetic variation and recombination) has been shown by direct experimentation, indirect experimentation (such as selective breeding), and also observed in the wild. Change in genes (mutation) has been shown both in the laboratory and in the wild. The process which selects certain variations (i.e. evolution) is inferred by the evaluation of the evidence available; it is at this time the best rational explantaion to explain the facts we have.

Answer 6

I don't claim to know anything but the fact that I exist on some level. It's solipsistic, yes, but anything else can't really be proven beyond a shadow of a doubt.

If you look at modern hypothesis in physics regarding the nature of nature, the scientific version of "reality" is becoming very strange and, if proven, would shock a lot of people (i.e. The universe is a hologram).

Evolution is not proven or disproven, but what does it matter? Nobody can know what happened before they were born, and nobody lives long enough to observe evolution. Evolution does nothing but provide answers to the people who seek truth from science instead of God. Oh, and we also get silly with debates.

We could have evolved, or for all we know, we could all just pop into existance at this moment complete with a package of history & memories. What difference does it make to anybody? "Cogito, ergo sum."

Going solely on what any one person could actually know about the origins of man or the universe without a shred of doubt is impossible. Once you call it a miracle, then have proof of a miraculous event.

Why is this universe a something instead of a nothing?
One thing I know for sure -- however it happened, we're lucky nature came together the way it did.

UPDATE: In regards to relativity and gravity also mentioned here -- theories regarding gravity fall apart on the quantum scale, and quantum mechanics will play a role in any grand overall (unification) theory of the universe. Theories of Relativity aren't eliminated from text books because it isn't butting heads with "the word of God."

Answer 7

Evolution is not a myth or a fact. It is a theory based upon sound scientific evidence, like the theory of Gravity.

Answer 8

Actually, evolution is a fact that is observed constantly. I think what you wish to rail against, you ignoramus, is the theory of evolution by natural selection. Evolution must be admitted to by the staunches creationist. So, you; idiot or moron. Just prove it.

Answer 9

we dont prove things in science, only in maths. We just consider the facts and accept the most likely explanation, until a better one comes along
Try PROVING to me that you are not just a crackpot putting up the question to provoke a heated religion debate

Answer 10

Yeah, sure. Some people refuse to believe in evolution...so they create all sorts of loop holes to "prove" that man just fell out of the sky (or whatever happened).

This question doesn't belong in the Biology section. The vast majority of the body of science already accepts evolution. We don't need to "prove" it to you.

Answer 11

If you're religious your ignorant world view will not let you accept the factual evidence of it.

If you aren't or are sophisticated enough to believe in God and evolution (many people do) then all you need to do is pick up darwin's own work and go to a decent natural history museum to explore the fossil record.