So why is it called the Theory of Evolution?

Question

okay, asked a gazillion times before, but the answers are most interesting. Thanks all!

Answer 1

A scientific process that encompasses something that we can test, find evidence for but not recreate in laboratory condition because it's scope is beyond such thigns is a theory. This sin't to say we are waiting on the final decision, we know as accurately and as surely as we can that it is fact, but we lack the complete workup. Photons and electrons are a Theory, because they're so small that measurements of detection alter them. But we have reams of evidence telling us they're there, and what they do and how they act.

Answer 2

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. . . because they want to wish away theories that conflict with their religion. When creationists call something "just a theory" it shows they have no understanding of what a scientific theory is. Evolution itself is a fact - pure and simple - all the evidence points to it having happened. Just like Gravity is a fact - an observable fact of the natural world, that can be measured and be seen to be happening. Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection is the best attempt so far to explain the observed fact that evolution happened. And so far, it is the only explanation capable of describing the mechanics of the observed fact of evolution. And even if Darwin's theory of natural selection is false or mistaken in some fundamental principle, it won't take away from the fact that Evolution happened.

Answer 3

In scientific usage, a theory does not mean an unsubstantiated guess or hunch, as it can in everyday speech. In the American vernacular, "theory" often means "imperfect fact"--part of a hierarchy of confidence running downhill from fact to theory to hypothesis to guess. In scientific usage however, a theory is more like a scientific law than a hypothesis. A theory is an explanation of a set of related observations or events based upon proven hypotheses and verified multiple times by detached groups of researchers. One scientist cannot create a theory; he can only create a hypothesis.

In general, both a scientific theory and a scientific law are accepted to be true by the scientific community as a whole. Both are used to make predictions of events. Both are used to advance technology.

When non-biologists talk about biological evolution they often confuse two different aspects of the definition. On the one hand there is the question of whether or not modern organisms have evolved from older ancestral organisms or whether modern species are continuing to change over time. On the other hand there are questions about the mechanism of the observed changes... how did evolution occur? Biologists consider the existence of biological evolution to be a fact. It can be demonstrated today and the historical evidence for its occurrence in the past is overwhelming. However, biologists readily admit that they are less certain of the exact mechanism of evolution; there are several theories of the mechanism of evolution.

Answer 4

Because it is a scientific theory. Note that this is not the same usage of the word that most people use. It doesn't mean "something that hasn't been proven yet". So people that say, "Well, it's only still a theory" are really missing the point.

Contrary to popular belief, scientists don't deal in facts and proofs. They deal in evidence and theory. Of course, some theories have more evidence behind them, and many scientists do consider those theories as fact. However, that is opinion, and not science. The true scientist recognizes that "facts" may be overturned with new evidence.

Everything we claim is a conjecture. Scientists, in the purest sense, never claim anything as being 100% true. Some of those conjectures are testable. They are defined well. They have explicit assumptions. There is a measureable condition of some sort that would weigh for or against the conjecture being true. Those conjectures rise to the status of theory. When you say something is a theory, it says nothing about whether it is true or not. It just says that it is a well structured claim.

The theory of evolution is a theory. There are specific claims in evolution that can and have been tested. Of course, there are sub-theories of evolution, too, that make claims about various details of how the evolutionary process works. Nearly all scientists accept the general theory of evolution. There's just too much evidence to support it, and little to oppose it. However, they do differ on the details of the process. As we get new evidence, those details are decided because, as I said before, theories are structured so that you can weigh new evidence against them.

That is one of the greatest strengths of science. Science is able to change and adapt as we learn more. It may not be perfect, but it is much better than referencing old books and making claims of absolute truth with no evidence.

Answer 5

If theists follow the same scientific principles, then god is only a theory or less. This question has been answered a gazillion times too, but the questioners remain unchanged. Interesting.

Answer 6

Well the theory part is the mechanism. There are still a few holes in that part. But the big idea that life started simple and got more complex is quite unarguable because of the fossil record. The order can be determined by stratification alone (no radiological dating) it is a fact that life started simple and got more complex. Here is a simple chart to show what I mean: http://pubs.usgs.gov/gip/fossils/succession.html

Answer 7

well i daresay you know it was the theory of evolution by natural selection that got people riled up. evolution by artificial selection had been around ever since people started fiddling with plants and crops and noone seems to have been too bothered that they were creating new species.

Answer 8

Because people for some reason dont like to admit it its called the realisty of evolution

Answer 9

Because it fits the scientific definition of a theory. Evolution itself also fits the scientific definition of a fact.

Answer 10

It's only a guess...
The estate of the late Charles Darwin still holds copyright on the titles "On natural selection" and "The origin of species".
Seeing as the 'catchy' titles were used, the lab-coat brigade had to settle for 'the Theory of...'.