What is evolution and what are the pros and cons?

Answer 1

The word "evolution" can mean one of two things:
The process of evolution, or the Theory of Evolution.

The process of evolution is just change ... specifically, change at the population or species level (rather than the individual level). That's it. People who say that "evolution does not occur" are denying a known fact (or being totally confused about what the process of evolution is). Species change. Anyone who knows that great danes and chihuahuas are the result of change of a single species knows that fact. Anyone who has ever gotten a flu shot, and considered that we need to get one every year because the flu viruses have *changed* to be immune to last-year's flu shot, knows that fact.

The *Theory* of Evolution is a theory about the process of evolution. It (a) explains *how* the process of evolution occurs in nature; and (b) explains how all living organisms can be explained by the process of evolution. Both (a) and (b) are hugely supported by evidence.

When people ask about the pros and cons, they are usually asking about the pros and cons of the *Theory* of Evolution.

The pros are that the Theory explains a *huge* amount of evidence pointing to descent of all living organisms from common ancestors. Fossil evidence is the best known ... but the genetic and DNA evidence is even more compelling ... it's not just that all organisms seem to be related genetically to each other ... but the *degree* of this relationship (how close any two organims are), follows a glaring pattern of ancestral relationship ... the same way that we can tell second cousins from third cousins in a human family tree.

But there is LOTS of other evidence as well. This includes things like vestigial organs (like wisdom teeth, appendix, or your big toe ... or hip and leg bones in whales, dolphins, snakes, etc.), homologous structures (like the bones in the mammalian ear that are homologous to the same bones in the reptilian hinged jaw), embryology (like gill slits in humans, or leg buds in dolphin embryos), biogeography (e.g. the distribution of marsupials in the world, almost entirely in Australia), etc.

The cons (things that dispute the Theory of Evolution) are difficult to come by. All this would need is one undisuputed fact that contradicts the Theory of Evolution, for the theory to have major problems ... but so far, no such fact has surfaced. For example, if the discovery of genetics and DNA *after* Darwin had shown a completely different basis between plants and animals, then the two could not have shared a common ancestor. If some organism were discovered today that had left-handed DNA instead of right-handed, then this organism would be a major problem for the Theory. But no such organism has ever been discovered.

So the only real problem with the Theory of Evolution is that it contradicts *some* people's very *literal* reading of the book of Genesis in the Bible. Not all Christians share this literal view ... the Catholic church, for example, which by itself has over half the world's Christians, has publically declared that there is no conflict between evolution and Christian faith.

So the problems with the Theory of Evolution are very very limited, despite what some very LOUD opponents might say.

Answer 2

Evolution is generally defined by whether or not a new trait confers survival. If you consider survival a good thing, then evolution is good.

So, Evolution=survival. I think survival is a "pro".

Of course, evolution process can theoretically work in a "reverse" (unexpected) manner. What if we evolved to simply have an improved survival rate during a global viral epidemic? Then, what if another virus came along which then exploited our "evolved trait", and (worst-case) killed everyone? Would that be "good" evolution? I think not!

Answer 3

evolution is essentially survival of the fittest. It explains how animals have different traits and essentially works like this. If an animal has a good trait for the environment it's in, it is more likely to survive and pass that gene onto it's offspring. If it has a bad gene, it is more likely to die and we'll never see that trait again.

the pros are it is a good system for making sure an animal can survive in it's environment. The cons, it can be a bit unfair and it sparks huge controversy that some Christians try to fight against while others(like me) accept the fact that evolution most likely happened.

Answer 4

Evolution is survival of the fittest. The strongests and better adapted of a certain species survival and pass on traits to their offsprings.
Pro's are that evolution make sure that only the strongest and best of a species survive. it also keeps the population in check.
Con's are that if a certain species cannot adapt, they become extinct.

Answer 5

Evolution is a theoretical belief, founded by Charles Darwin, that all living organisms developed from one common organism. Darwin believed that through the process of natural selection, the adaptations within a species to better reproduce and survive, all organisms adapted differently to fit their surroundings.

Pros: Explains existence, similarities between many organisms, and gives logical evidence to prove natural selection as well as the development of mammals, and other animals that walk on land.

Cons: It goes against the Christain belief that God created man by saying that man evolved from a single organism and there is not a full spread of information to prove whether the theory can be supported.

Answer 6

you could "have self belief" something you pick to, alongside with that evolution is a "faith." whether, believing something would not make it authentic. I neither have self belief nor disbelieve in something. I take each little thing as conditionally authentic or conditionally untrue based on the evidence and arguments for or against. between the everyday transformations between evolution and faith is that the former demands in basic terms the organic international, while the latter demands an entire supernatural realm of God and devil, demons and angels, djinns and afreets, and despite different spirits a particular faith chooses to populate that realm with. In a private and/or parochial college, I have not have been given any situation with faith being taught. I attend a private Catholic college, and in spite of the certainty that i'm no longer a believer, I have not have been given any situation with the religion classes (2) that i'm required to take. whether, that toleration ends whilst it includes public colleges, that are paid for with taxpayer money, and which scholars could attend without decision, and regardless of their non secular or non secular ideals. added, on a similar time because it is authentic that many of the Founding Fathers have been Christians (in spite of the certainty that many of the main favourite weren't), this united states of america replaced into in no experience based on the Christian faith. that's no longer hypothesis, yet is obviously enunuciated in documents such because of the fact the Treaty of Tripoli (i'm going to go away it to you to look that up). the assumption of "freedom of religion" skill no longer in basic terms the liberty to coach your faith, however the liberty from having another faith compelled upon you. this could be precisely the case interior the scenario you describe, with public colleges coaching training on Christianity. this could be tantamount to an company of religion, that's expressly forbidden by skill of the 1st modification to the form. i be attentive to you think of that evolution is finally a "faith," whether it particularly is no longer so by skill of any regular definition of that be conscious. It takes extra effective than "believing in" something to qualify it as a faith. And as nicely, as I even have already stated, accepting the certainty of evolution does no longer require theory.

Answer 7

evolution is the slow passing on traits that aid in survivial. so pro things get better at not dying. con other non evolving tings die

Answer 8

the evolution is a cd by ciara. DUH