Have you ever heard a scientist refer to himself as a Darwinist?

Question

I never have. In fact I never even heard the word Darwinist before reading it on the the answers in genesis website.

Captain Atheist, you can't pick and choose you have to wait for some group that doesn't believe what you believe to come up with a name

Answer 1

Having taken numerous courses in evolutionary biology, I can honestly say that I've never heard any scientist refer to themselves as a Darwinist.

I have, however, heard scientists refer to other scientists (usually in a derogatory fashion) as dogmatic followers of one or another scientific enclave, such as 'rabid cladists' or 'punc-eq freaks' or the always popular 'lumpers' and 'splitters'.

Answer 2

No, but it's the term I use for the people who treat Evolution as a belief system they are desperate to prove rather than simply the best theory science presently has to explain the facts.

No one can mistake the difference between the two groups.

It's like the difference between those who "believe there is no God", and...

...those who simply see no reason to believe in something they have no proof for.

I have no time to play with a Darwinist.

I understand and also suspect evolution is the best theory.

I have no tolerance for people who act like Darwinists, any more than I do for religious people who do the same thing, or atheists who are out to destroy religion.

I live in the United States and am a patriot.

Religious freedom comes first.

Answer 3

Neither have I. You're right. I haven't seen it till Answers in Genesis started using it to describe those who believe in Evolution. Though, since the museum (heavy sigh) came to town, some people around here are using to describe anyone who doesn't agree with the Creationist ideas. (I live 10 minutes from that museum). I still have a hard time keeping a straight face when talking with someone who truly believes Noah had dino's on the ark. What's funny is that they don't seem to know that Darwin was not the first to put the theory of Evolution out. Darwin merely used it in his writings. I guess they think Darwin was the one and only "Evolutionist" since his book is talked about more... but this only proves they did absolutely no study on Evolution.

Answer 4

I've only heard of a couple of scientists who call themselves Darwinists but, even then, it's only been in reference to his generic theories. I've had personal chats (in person, not via the internet) with a couple who referred to themselves as neo-darwinists (i.e., they believe in the basics of micro and macro-evolution but they disagree with the tenets of Darwin as to how such evolution takes place).

As for the person who stated that Christian Scientist (or some such coupling) was 'redundant' what he meant was 'oxymoronic.' English must not be his strong-suit. In any case, he's incorrect in his assessment because history shows that nearly all of the major sciences were founded by or refined by scientists who held to a religious faith.

Rev. Lonnie Honeycutt

Answer 5

Here we go again with the -ist hang-ups.

"Darwinism" was the title of a book in the 1880s by the co-discoverer of the theory of natural selection, Alfred Russel Wallace. The usual adjectival form for things to do with Darwin is "Darwinian".

I never heard people believe that to add "-ist" to the end of something reduces it to an arbitrary belief system until I came to Y!A. I believe that the theory of evolution is the most evidentially valid explanation for the origins and development of life on Earth. I am an evolutionist. I do not permit the prejudices others seek to impose on concepts I embrace to affect the way I view myself.

Answer 6

Nope. And it's not going to happen either. Aside from the obvious (you never see scientists call themselves Einsteinists or Newtonists), scientists know that the current theory of evolution is not the same as the theory proposed by Darwin. The current theory is based on Darwins ideas, but it is not the same.

Answer 7

Terms like "Darwinism" and "evolutionism" are creationist inventions, aimed at discrediting those who support evolution by trying to show that its a fringe group of crazies who believe it.

Obviously, it hasn't worked as well as they hoped it would. The "Darwinist's" tribe is growing everyday.

Answer 8

When I scientific theory becomes a creed then its a religion and not a science.

To some, the theory of evolution is this sacred cow that no one is ever allowed to question.

Have that opinion if you want. But dogma is not science.

Answer 9

No. Its the same thing as "evolutionist". They aren't real words but the Christians have invented them and turned them into something derogatory.

Answer 10

I think its someone else trying to give too much credit to one persons way of thinking to impy idolisation and make them possible to insult as a group.

A bit pointless.