How do I understand Evolution?

Question

as a fact and theory?

Answer 1

To make a long story short, evolution is the gradual change in a population over time and is considered scientific fact. The theory of evolution is the explanation of how evolution takes place, including mechanisms and processes

(Please notice the word "scientific" that I put)

Answer 2

Yuri's explanation is accurate and concise. Evolution is very simple and says nothing about the origins of life or of the universe. It is merely a description of the mechanism for change. It is called a theory because scientists don't ever claim a hard and fast truth. The word theory allows us to remain open-minded and to continue our stidies without having ever closed ou minds to a new pathway or explanation. The facts, and they are hard facts, prove that evolution is what we think it is. There may be other evidence in the future that refines our theory so it stays a theory. At such a time as we can give it mathematical proof (and only mathematical proof, like gravity) then it becomes a law. Its just semantics, evolution is fact.

Answer 3

Evolution is a theory of a species adapting over time into a totally different species. It is not a fact at all.

Adaptation is a proven fact. But there is still no positive proof of any animal actually adapting into another species. In fact, there is a still a huge hole to the theory of evolution. That hole is there are no missing links between these species. If evolution was a fact and a proven one then there should be species of creatures that would sort of be in the middle of 2 diff species. It doesnt exist. Evolution still has a lot to be proven.

People tend to mix evolution and adaptation. They arent the same. And anyone that thinks evolution is a fact and not a theory went to a very messed up school where the facts have been a bit skewed.

Answer 4

Hmm...trick question?

Are you asking if I know what you know about evolution, or are you asking for advice how to learn about it. Like all facts and theories: don't ask questions at Yahoo! Answers. Look elsewhere on the internet, or library, or wherever you can do basic research, ask questions on what you've learned so far, discover new things to begin your research/ask/discover cycle again.

Answer 5

By understanding that in science, a theory is a framework explanation of facts. A scientific theory is a grouping of facts; it doesn't mean something less than a fact.

Evolution will never be declared "fact", just like gravity will never be declared "fact". They are theories that explain repeated observable facts.

Answer 6

Fact.

Answer 7

A Theory. Actually theory and "fact" are different things on the Truth scale. You can gather many 'facts' and come up with some really absurd 'theories' - but TRUTH is something else entirely.

Answer 8

Evolution is fact...however... its all in how you define and understand what it is.

Evolution simply means "to change..to evolve". It does not mean humans came from tadpoles that grew legs and climbed trees. It is more like a poodle evolved from wolves. A dog evolving into another kind of dog. Not a dog from a bird.

Answer 9

It is one of the theories (yet unproven) to explain the possible origin of life. It preposes that Life, and the diversity thereof, is a product of random chance.

There is no evidence against this, it is plausible, therefore it is the generally accepted theory among Science types.

Most believers, who presuppose the existance of God, who instead that life is a product of the hand of God, that everything is a product of Divine cause. There is also no evidence one way or another, and is generally accepted by Moralist and Theology types.

Answer 10

You understand the end result.
You speculate on how it began
You notice "thunderlizards" embedded in the rock in the Black Hills of South Dakota.