Evolution: Real or not?

Question

Regardless of your opinion, explain why you believe it is or isn't real.

Also, Is the earth several thousand years or millions of years old?

And specifically, did we evolve from apes as some intellectuals rant? Whatever your answer, support it with an explaination.

Answer 1

We did evolve from apes. Apes have a lot in common with us. They're smart, have 5 fingers and toes on each hand and foot, and can sometimes walk on 2 legs. I believe the Earth is a few million years old. There is evidence like artifacts and fossils.

Answer 2

Evolution is as real as gravity.

First, what do I mean by evolution? That just means "gradual change in an organism over generations." That's it. Period.

Why do I believe it is as real as gravity? Every year I get a flu shot I am reminded of the reality of evolution ... I need a new flu shot because the viruses have *evolved* to be resistant to last-year's flu shot. (People who say "that's not evolution, that's adaptation" are dicing words ... evolution is gradual change at in an organism (like a virus) over generations ... if this is in response to environmental stress (like antibiotics) then this is the kind of evolution we also call "adaptation" ... same thing ... get over it.)

If you're asking about the *theory* of evolution, that's different. That is a theory that describes *how* the process of evolution occurs in nature (natural selection) and how that same process explains all of modern species.

Is the *theory* of evolution real? You betcha. It is as real as the theory of gravity (which explains the *force* of gravity). I.e. it is real because it is the best explanation there is for the scientific evidence, which includes:
- fossil evidence
- genetic evidence
- DNA evidence
- anatomical evidence (e.g. vestigial and homologous structures)
- embryology
- protein evidence (shared proteins between species)
- biogeography (locations of species on the planet)
- virology
- bacteriology
- insect resistence to pesticides
- examples of evolution seen in nature
- examples of evolution reproduced in the lab
- so much more evidence (see sources for a partial list)

> "Also, Is the earth several thousand years or millions of years old?"

Not just millions of years, *billions* of years ... 4.6 billion years old to be precise. Evidence from geology, radiometry, astronomy, and even from dating of the moon rocks we brought back from the moon.

To say that the earth is 6,000 years old is about as plausible as saying that the earth weighs only 6,000 pounds.

>"And specifically, did we evolve from apes as some intellectuals rant? "

That depends on what you mean by "apes".

- If you mean the superfamily of modern tail-less primates that includes humans, chimps, gorillas, orangutans, and gibbons, then it's a silly question because humans are a member of that class.

- If you mean the class of all modern tail-less primates *except* humans, then no ... no modern species could have evolved "from" another modern species. We did not evolve "from" them ... we share a common ancestor.

- If you mean some earlier form of primate that probably would have been classified as an ape ... then yes.

> "... as some intellectuals rant?"

You mean *scientists*?

(Only in the Bush era could the word "intellectual" be intended as an insult.)

Answer 3

My last question deals with this. After what I've seen/read/heard, I think reptiles have evolved throughout time. Then came mammals and then, all of a sudden primates show up.
So, my answer is, I think the earth is millions of years old, even if primates are not. Recently, I read that apes, monkeys, humans have a common ancestor but aren't directly related. IE.-Great Danes and Chihuahua's. Same category, different species.
My explanation is, if you look at the dinosaurs that have been created based on skeletons and skin fragments that have been found, they are remarkably similar to reptiles and even birds. But I don't see the similarities to humans, or any other kind of primate (monkeys, apes, etc). After a lot of study and reasoning/philosophy, I've determined for myself that the god described in the Bible is a false creation of a tribes imagination.

Answer 4

Interesting that you would use the word-rant-. Very inflammatory, and judgmental isn't it? I guess you do not consider yourself an intellectual. Actually scientists from many different areas of research have found and continue to find evidence of evolution. Evidence from Geology, DNA, psychology, anthropology, Space exploration, the list goes on. And what is on the other side of the question? One book. A book which every scholar knows has been changed and rewritten numerous times, and which was never meant to be taken literally in the first place.

Answer 5

Evolution: Real or not?
Real. How else would you explain mini-dachshunds, who have wolf ancestors?

> Is the earth several thousand years or millions of years old?
About 4.5 billion years, give or take a couple hundred million.

> did we evolve from apes
Yes, we did indeed.

Answer 6

I believe in evolution.

Firstly let us define clearly exactly what it is to clear up misconceptions

Evolution is the natural, gradual change in the genetic material of an organism due to adaptations to a changing environment. It is brought about by natural selection - individuals with the genes which code for desirable characteristics have a greater chance of survival, and so will live on to reproduce and pass on these characteristics. Over time these individuals outcompete others and all individuals of a population share the genes.

The evidence is too good to discredit:
- All organisms on the earth either use RNA and/or DNA as a basis for their genetic material and therefore must be related.
- The fossil record, although largely incomplete for some organisms clearly show distinct homologous (similar) features - the polydactyl limb (basically your arm structure) for example, ancient mammalian fossils, and all modern mammals share this feature.
- DNA analysis on well fossilised bone specimens have found shared sections of DNA in relation to modern organisms.

Now, your specific question:

We DID NOT evolve from apes/monkeys/chimps/gorillas etc. We DO share a common ancestor, an organism in the distant past (millions of years) which seperated into 2 groups, perhaps by a natural disaster. 1 group went on to evolve over time into modern humans. The other went on to evolve into chimps. This process is called speciation, two reproductively isolated (cannot interbreed) independent species which are related by genetic material as with all organisms, but are seperate and distinct.

We ourselves are considered apes, we belong to the same family - Hominidae - we share common characteristics but are distinctly different - we have just as much hair as a chimp but ours is finer, we both have the opposable thumb, we both live in a social order, however our chromosome number is different, we can walk upright, we have 2 fewer chromosomes (46 opposed to 48).

From geological data involving carbon dating etc the earth is around 4.5 billion years old. This age correlates with fossil ages and is well supported by any geologist.

The alternative theory is creation, that all plants and animals were created at once, that the earth, sea, sky, humans all came to exist because of a divine entity called God. The Bible itself contradicts itself - man was created by God in his image on the 6th day of creation but then another story says man was moulded in God's image using earth? Why the contradiction, why isn't it definative.

Unlike many perhaps I was brought up as a Roman Catholic, I was educated in the teachings of the Bible, I went to church regularly, I attend a Catholic Sixth form college. I even passed a GCSE Religion exam with an A* and full marks.

I have seen both sides of the story. I consider myself now an athiest for I have found that science's logic and fuller explanations makes sense to me more than an old unsourced, unreliable, contradictory book.

Unless people understand and experience both sides they have no right to discredit either theory. I have understood evolutionary theory and studied biblical accounts for 6 years of my education - what anyone believes is their choice and their decision alone.

Answer 7

Two hundred years ago, no one believed in evolution. Now the evidence is overwhelming, for anyone with a brain to check it out for themselves. The Earth is about 3.5 billion years old. The evidence for this is also overwhelming. Not enough room in a Yahoo! answer to give any kind of reasonable representation of two centuries of scientific progress.

Answer 8

There is plenty of proof of evolution. There is plenty of proof of how old the earth is too. Can't say that about the other theories? Some people are ok with just believing. Proof doesn't matter to them.

Answer 9

why should I write here a textbook for you just because you are too lazy to read one?
go to http://talkorigins.org/ if you really want to know. You will find an answer to your questions there.
In addition I recommend that you pay attention in school.
And do you think having a vote will influence the correctness of the answer?

Answer 10

Eveidence supports Evolution.

I'll pay you MONEY if you can find me evidence that Disproves evolution and supports the book of guinness.