Let me re-phrase the science question.?

Question

I asked this earlier and I think I deliverd the question wrong b/c I got some odd answers. If you were an environmental science teacher, how would you respond to someone who tells you that they don't believe in biological evolution b/c it is 'just a theory'. This question is for a science class -- I need someone who knows a little about scientifc theoris and biological evolution.....
Thanks!

Answer 1

The main problem I see is that the population at large is confused about the scientific term "theory". Those who are "anti-evolution", usually from a religious basis, shout the mantra, "It is only a theory!" In other words, they are saying, "It is a guess."

However, in science, the word for guess is "hypothesis". Once a scientist creates a hypothesis, he tests and retests it until that hypothesis is proven more than likely true, or absolutely false. If it is proven more than likely true, then it is called a theory.

For instance:
Darwin found a rather unusual orchid on the Island of Madigascar...one that would require that its pollinator, a moth, would require a very long "tongue" to reach the pollin inside (forgive me, I don't know the scientific term for a moth's tongue). This tongue would have to have been a foot long. However, no one ever saw this moth...until approximately 20 years ago, when a researcher using infrared cameras caught the first image of this creature.

Thus, Darwin's hypothesis of a moth with a foot-long tongue proved to be true.

Unfortunately, arguing with the detractors of Evolution is a useless cause. It is difficult to break through the emotional tie that they have to their faith and beliefs to get to the logical center of their brain, and those that are telling them what to believe in reguards to evolution tell them that they must believe the Bible word for word, or they aren't a Christian. Add to that, Genesis is far simpler to understand than the volumes and volumes of scientific books that it requires to understand evolution from beginning to end.

Answer 2

Well actually, it all depends upon how well you can convince your student. The student is right in saying that evolution is just a theory and not a law like Newton's laws. Scientific theories have been proven to be wrong in the past and they will be in future. Sometime we miss the bigger picture or just don't have the measurable data which can prove the theory to be wrong. For example earlier people thought that sun revolves around earth and they had their observations to 'support' them.
Having said that, I am a staunch believer in the theory of evolution. It's because of the enormous amount of data to support it - be it the genes in various species or the mutations in viruses. There is no doubt that if we apply the theory of evolution everything in this world fits just in place - The way life would have started from unicellular organisms to complex beings like humans or the way organisms have distint features which help them to survive and adapt to their habitat. It's no wonder that polar bears are not found at equator! You will find many other examples to support the theory.
In the end I would say that there is nothing wrong in opposing a theory. May be your student comes up with something more remarkable and revolutionizing!

Answer 3

That it's a 'theory' is no reason to discard it. Evolution is valid insofar as that it is a valid mechanism among living things.

On the other hand, to accept evolution as where we all came from, then that is where the line gets drawn. Evolution is fine if it is aimed at where it is valid and that is toward the mechanisms for which life adapts and thrives or dies. I believe in Jesus and what the bible tells, and there is a stark distinction between what Jesus created and the claims of evolution.

A scientific theory is a set of rules (essentially) that sets forth to characterize that which is observed or seen by experiment. It is accepted as true until proven otherwise, but if it is shown to be flawed it (the theory) is updated to include the alterations. Little by little, over time, it is honed and refined, and this process goes on until either further changes are found or none are found.

Everything of all the sciences can be considered a 'theory'. So to discard a theory because of that is a mistake by someone that has been misguided.

Answer 4

You may say something like "well yes, evolution is indeed a theory put forward but it is the most heavily supported. Take a look at any natural history museum." It's difficult to deny what is right in front of someone, you know? I would also say that it is not my place as a teacher to force views or opinions on students, merely to show a certain point of view. This student doesn't necessarily have to beleive or accept the theory of evolution, but for the class, I would ask that the student merely try to understand it and after the class is over, do what you wish.

Answer 5

Gravity is "just a theory", but would you dispute it? No, because it is quite obvious from experience and not at all controversial. Electromagnetism is "just a theory". You can observe magnets, you can generate static electricity and measure voltage, but it is not intuitive that light is an electromagnetic wave. Then you go to quantum mechanics which is "just a theory" and violates common sense, but is not controversial.
Evolution is a slow enough process that you can't observe it in a back yard in an afternoon. Evolution is controversial, only because it contradicts the literal reading of the Bible. The evidence for evolution is quite open, and anyone can become a naturalist by observing an ecosystem and reading how any taxonomic classification in the fossil record is made.

Answer 6

In addition to what you already know about fossil records, I think this is the most persuasive argument for those who say evolution has not been proven:
We have seen many viruses and bacteria EVOLVE in our lifetime. Look at tuberculosis and HIV.
Also, you know about antibiotic-resistant bacteria. That is why you MUST finish the full bottle of antibiotics that your doctor prescribes. If you only take the drug until you feel well, what happens?
You kill most of the microbes. But there are a few which resist the drug and survive. With the susceptible microbes wiped out in the first few days, the resistant ones have less competition. So they multiply and become dominant. Now you have bred a drug-resistant strain.

Answer 7

1. Explain that a scientific theory is well-supported by evidence; it's more than just a speculation or conjecture.
2. Explain that evolution is supported by evidence from biochemistry, geology, (etc.).
3. Tell the student that belief is not required. It's going to be on the test, and a good grade in this class is needed to get into college, so buckle down and learn it anyway.

Answer 8

well
i guess that this question because of that new chapter added to first year of secondary schools in egypt
well i guess the answer to that question is simple some how but it need you to be convienient with students
you can start discussion like asking what is the answer of 1+1 ?
and i guess all students will tell you that it is 2 !!
sure it is 2 . but why do they know it is 2 !!
ask them does anyone know that it is equal to (10) in binary system !!
then you can just start alittle to discuss things like how the giraff has a long nick .. just make them imagine with you .. imagination is a convienient way to make students understand
and when a student tells you that he doesn't believe in it .. ask him about something he believes in but don't know why he belives in it .
i hope that i helped u

Answer 9

attempt asking something clever it gradual. He starts with conclusions. each little thing ought to have a reason - a pre-end. Who created god - 2 pre-conclusions, that god became created and/or that something created god. matter/capability won't be in a position of be created or destroyed, that's a worry-loose tenant that absolutely everyone people who can easily think of settle for. that's a variable for fundies in that they are saying that god magically created each little thing and then matter/capability won't be in a position of be created or destroyed. So the universe exists, infinitely. the great bang, creates a universe, ultimately there's a huge give way and then yet another enormous bang, advert infinitum.