Is there anything wrong with evolution, or is it correct for sure the way it is now?

Question

The coursework in school shows scientists who believe in evolution as the origin of species. A friend of mine, who is actually known as the smart one in the class, says that the current theory of evolution has several gaps in it that have not been fixed.

My friend has caught several mistakes the teacher has had before, but all in all the teacher is the one in charge. I don't need to know who you think is correct, just please answer this sincerely:

Is the current theory of evolution right for sure, with no little gap or problem in its details?

It does not make a difference on my question but my friend is a 9th grade honors biology student.

My friend also says that the theory dawkins wrote in his book is wrong. He says that a reproductive cell won't form in the situation dawkins mentioned. There is a lot of things he says that are very confusing, but seem to be correct. Is there like more than one theory of evolution? Is the one that they teach in schools correct?

So evolution is true, but it has gaps that scientists are trying to fix? That makes sense.

Wait after reading my last detail, I realized it sounded sarcastic, but it isn't. Thanks.

Answer 1

The ToE is a work in progress, and yes there are debates among evolutionists over some of the details. There is overwhelming evidence from a variety of independent sources that support the basic concept of evolution. This is referred to as congruency.

The ToE has been continuously refined over the last 150 years since Darwin first proposed it. No scientist would ever say that any scientific theory has been worked out in such detail that we are 100% sure. The ToE is currently the best explanation for the wide variety of life on Earth as it is now, and was in the past.

99% of all species that have ever lived are now extinct. There is abundant evidence of a gradual change from simpler forms of life to more complex over time. There is ample evidence of transitional fossils. The biological clock of the DNA has confirmed timelines measured in millions of years of gradual adaptation of successful phenotypes through the process of natural selection.

Unfortunately Biology teachers are often ill equipped to teach Evolution with poor understanding of it themselves. School textbooks are usually about 20 years out of date, which doesn't help. ToE is also just one of many subjects that need to be taught in basic Biology, so is often glossed over. Also the organized attacks on the ToE by the religious right wing have made a tough job even harder.

Answer 2

As with any model (scientist are moving away from the term theory), evolution may have some "gaps" or "holes" but this does not discredit it as there is an extremely large body of confirmed evidence behind it. At a high school level, it is highly doubtful that the "smart one" or even the teacher are operating with a full and current knowledge of the subject.

Answer 3

Right for sure?

Well Newton was 'right' but then it wasnt the ultimate theory of gravitation, was it? Einstein's was more accurate. Now Einstein's is needing to be replaced because it does not fit with the other major theory in physics - quantum mechanics.

I suspect your friend is noticing problems with the teacher because of the teacher's ignorance. It would be a disaster if he lost faith in the most important theory in biology as a result.

He needs to go to the source. Read 'almost like a whale' or 'the selfish gene' or one of the many good evolution textbooks there are out there.

When I last studied I saw my teachers get lots wrong - it tends to be because they're ignorant themselves, not because there is a flaw in their subject... unless they're teaching postmodernism.

If he thinks evolution is 'just a theory' he hasn't understood yet what a scientific theory actually is. To put it simply - we have a theory of gravitation - you can argue it will some day be replace - that doesnt mean you're going to float off in to space though, does it? Evolution is the same. The proof is overwhelming.

*He's starting to sound more wilfully deluded than just ignorant. He might be smart but I fear he'll come to nothing if he uses those smarts to defend a biblical theory. I suspect he's religious, yes?*

Answer 4

The theory of evolution is a theory. There are many gaps. There are many things yet to learn, and most teachers and scientists accept this. Religious peoploe say that creation is the be all and end all and if you show a problem or gap they call you evil. When we learn more there will be fewer gaps in evolution theory. The less we knew, years ago, there were bigger gaps.

Answer 5

The biblical record goes back almost 6000 years to the birth of the Jewish and Muslim people. If you were god how would you explain the existence of the universe to a bronze age tribal people that hadn't even developed agriculture yet. It would have to be simple. That is why the bible is written the way it is. Physical changes in animals and insects have been observed over a period of time as their environment changed. That is Evolution. All it means is that organisms must adapt and change in order to survive. Survival of the fittest. Darwin's work was entitled "Origin of Species" and doesn't claim man descended from apes. Darwin wasn't completely right. He was a racist for one. But go on believing what you want. You probably could teach biology in West Virginia.

Answer 6

Your friend may be right. The gaps have always been there. Evolution has been "evolving" since it was first thought of about 250 years ago.
But to answer-no, current evolutionary thought is incomplete. It will change with every new discovery. Just the age of the earth has changed so many times that it is really difficult to know what age someone may be talking about. Two major problems: one is the non-existence of transitional fossils. And two-the absents of enough time.
There are many fossils that have been called 'transitional' but they have not connected any two different species yet, not even close. Then, scientist can not verify any date that coincides with the time of dinosaurs or older(or younger). All that can be done is to estimate a date based on the geologic column, which is an assumed range of dates to begin with. No facts here.

Answer 7

If there were no gaps it would not be a theory. Of course there are gaps. No one knows all there is to know about evolution and perhaps they never will. All things are not knowable. We must be content with what we can know about a thing. As soon as scientist proves they can create life. That will be a significant boon in the advance of evolution.

Answer 8

That evolution happens is a fact, yes, and a settled one.

However, the theory of natural selection, which describes how the phenomenon of evolution occurs, is not now complete nor will it ever be complete -- No theory ever is. Nothing in science at all is. A theory is the highest level of scientific truth -- law is no longer used after Newton's "Laws" of gravity were shown to be false. Theories are always subject to correction and verification.

The theory of natural selection is, however, fairly detailed in its current state, though like any theory (theory of gravity, for example), it has its gaps or misunderstandings.

Answer 9

Scientists are doing the best they can to answer the big question of how we got here using evidence. Scientists care if their answer is correct. They may never know all the answers if there is not evidence to tell them, but they won't say something is true without good reason. And they have the integrity to change the theory if evidence requires it.

Answer 10

The fact that we did evolve is fact, but the current theory of evolution is certainly not perfect. Everyday we are finding new evidence that forces us to rethink the theory.

I am a strong supporter of evolution being taught in school and I have nothing to fear or hide when it comes to evolution. The fact that it changes with evidence PROVES that it is theory that is based on truth on not a fairy tale.