Scientists prove things through observation. No one has observed evolution.
Gravity=law
Evolution=theory.
Evolution is a theory! Get over youself!
2007-03-30 04:50:15 · 26 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
How can gravity not be a law?
Can or has anyone ever come up with a legitiment argument?
2007-03-30 05:15:45 · update #1
Science proves nothing. It is literally incapable of proving anything. Science functions entirely on the basis of disproving things that are false.
Science does not start with a clean slate, to which it adds facts. It starts with every possible and impossible fact on a very very cluttered slate, and slowly but steadily erases what it manages to prove false. It doesn't build up to truth -- it chisels away the false.
Gravity is an observed phenomenon described by the General Theory of Relativity.
Evolution is an observed phenomenon described by the Theory of Natural selection.
Theories do not become laws when they are proven. There are two schools of thought in science on the term 'law'. One says that since science can prove nothing, we should drop the term entirely. The other rescopes 'law' to mean -- a mathematical relationship between two distinct entities based on current theories. Either way, theories do not become laws. I've even seen college physics books that no longer refer to the 'Laws of thermodynamics' but the components of the Theory of Thermodynamics, to incorporate the former school of thought on the term 'law'.
Could you have gotten anything else wrong in your question?
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Considering we don't even know how gravity works? And in fact know that our best theory about it is definately wrong? General Theory of Relativity contains a known flaw -- it is analog but a quantum gravity must of necessity be quantized or digital.
And read the second school of thought on 'law' up there. A mathematical description of interaction between two entities. Thus, the equation is a law, the equation is part of a theory, both of which are deduced by observation.
2007-03-30 04:54:09 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 16⤊ 3⤋
Whoa! You proved gravity into a law? You should publish that because you will win a Nobel prize. If you can explain why mass causes gravity you will certainly be declared the smartest man alive.
You need to go back and learn about what a scientific theory is, what evolution is, what observation is, and probably what gravity is. Then you would know that a) evolution has been observed, b) gravity is a theory, and c) "just a theory" is a horrible argument.
Edit: Gravity isn't a law the same way evolution isn't a law. Gravity is observed, we all know this. Evolution is observed, some of us know this. But the cause and mechanisms of gravity isn't proven, and the same goes for evolution. Thus there are theories that explain the observed phenomenon of gravity and evolution.
2007-03-30 05:00:33 · answer #2 · answered by Take it from Toby 7 · 7⤊ 1⤋
It demonstrates sheer ignorance, often willful.
You proved the ignorance. Gravity is a theory. There is a "Law of Universal Gravitation", but that was an untested mathematical device used by Newton to explain the motions of the planets.
Laws are in fact weaker than theories. Laws are empirically derived associations that can be repeatedly observed. Theories have underlying mechanistic hypotheses that make testable predictions that must be confirmed.
Yes, evolution is a theory -- the most extensively evidenced theory in science. Get over yourself and get an education!
2007-03-30 05:01:00 · answer #3 · answered by novangelis 7 · 7⤊ 1⤋
I think Evolution is a plausible theory. It has been shown by Science as a fact, at least as much as Gravity has.
I don't think Atheists often get angry when someone says it is a theory, I think it is when someone states "it's just a theory" as though there was never any thought put into it and it is just a phase of science or something.
2007-03-30 04:55:56 · answer #4 · answered by Radictis 3 · 11⤊ 1⤋
Actually, atheists are usually the ones correcting theists that no, we don't say that evolution is Truth, we say that it is a theory. Evolution is just like the theory Pythagoras has that says a^2+b^2=c^2. We have never been able to disprove it and it works every time, but it is still a theory.
2007-03-30 04:59:24 · answer #5 · answered by Kharm 6 · 7⤊ 0⤋
I don't understand why anyone gets offensive when hearing that. And gravity may be considered a "law," but it's still a theory -- a scientific theory to be exact. Scientific theories are made by evidence. Religion, on the other hand, is made by blind faith. Whatever you believe, evolution or religion, there is no way of absolutely proving one over the other.
2007-03-30 04:57:45 · answer #6 · answered by bwoh0525 3 · 7⤊ 1⤋
"Myth 1: Hypotheses Become Theories Which Become Laws
The problem created by the false hierarchical nature inherent in this myth is that theories and laws are very different kinds of knowledge. Of course there is a relationship between laws and theories, but one simply does not become the other--no matter how much empirical evidence is amassed. Laws are generalizations, principles or patterns in nature and theories are the explanations of those generalizations (Rhodes & Schaible, 1989; Homer & Rubba, 1979; Campbell, 1953)."
2007-03-30 04:54:39 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 9⤊ 0⤋
Scientists no longer classify things as "laws" and "theories." At least, they didn't when I took biology in college. Gravity is a theory, and evolution is a theory.
Scientists don't "prove" things, mathematicians do; scientists look for evidence.
Lots of people have observed evolution.
I don't get mad, I just get frustrated at some people's apparent lack of ability to read things so they can learn correct definitions.
2007-03-30 04:55:37 · answer #8 · answered by N 6 · 12⤊ 1⤋
Evolution has been observed in the lab. Antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus bacteria and drug-resistant HIV are examples of evolution in action. For a better understanding of what evolution REALLY says, check out the PBS video series "Evolution" at your local library, if they have it. The program also features Christian biologist Ken Miller who believes there is NO conflict between evolution and Christianity. You might also read up on Francis Collins, the director of the human genome project, who is also an evangelical Christian. And look up Mary Schweitzer too- a paleontologist who discovered soft tissue remains in a T-Rex fossil. Also Christian (Dr. Schweitzer, not T-Rex).
2007-03-30 05:08:23 · answer #9 · answered by doubt_is_freedom 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
It is a theory...but in science it is the most important theory (which in science doesn't mean: this is just what I think)
Evolution is something that occurs. Now, the real argument comes in where and how we are connected to apes, neanderthals, etc.
2007-03-30 05:01:02 · answer #10 · answered by ♫O Praise Him♫ 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋