To The Daily Sun,
Answering the question of whether evolution is a theory or a fact requires clarification of scientific and colloquial usage of the terms; they differ. In science, a fact is an observation or measurement confirmed, repeated and accepted as true. A theory is a well substantiated explanation of natural phenomena, supported by extensive evidence and testing.
Evolution is the observed change in the heritable characteristics of populations over generations. That is a fact. We directly observe genetic changes in populations, e.g. bacterial antibiotic resistance or finch beak size variations. These are measurable, repeatable observations.
The sequence of fossils show transitions, like whale evolution from land mammals, supported by fossils like ambulocetus is evidence. DNA sequencing indicates shared ancestry, i.e. the 98%-99% genetic similarity between humans and chimpanzees.
Studies like the E. coli long-term evolution experiment demonstrate genetic changes over thousands of generations, showing adaptation to new environments. These observations confirm evolution occurs, making it a scientific fact.
The theory of evolution, e.g. Charles Darwin’s theory of natural selection, explains how and why evolution happens. It integrates mechanisms like natural selection, genetic drift, and mutation, supported by evidence across biology.
The theory is not a "guess" but a robust framework, repeatedly tested and refined. It predicts outcomes, like the discovery of transitional fossils. It’s falsifiable but has withstood scrutiny for over 150 years.
In public discourse, "theory" is misunderstood as "unproven." Scientifically, theories like evolution or gravity are not "just theories" but comprehensive explanations. No credible scientific evidence contradicts evolution; competing ideas may lack the empirical support to be considered scientific.
Evolution is both a fact, an accumulation of observable changes in populations, and a theory, the explanation of those changes via natural selection and other mechanisms. The distinction arises from conflating every day and scientific language.
Marc Abear
Meredith
(1) comment
Leading anti-creationist philosopher admits that evolution is a religion:
“Evolution is promoted by its practitioners as more than mere science. Evolution is promulgated as an ideology, a secular religion—a full-fledged alternative to Christianity, with meaning and morality. I am an ardent evolutionist and an ex-Christian, but I must admit that in this one complaint—and Mr [sic] Gish is but one of many to make it—the literalists are absolutely right. Evolution is a religion. This was true of evolution in the beginning, and it is true of evolution still today.
“… Evolution therefore came into being as a kind of secular ideology, an explicit substitute for Christianity.” - Michael Ruse
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