January 29, 2015

Scientific Theory, Evolution (Quote)

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"...a scientific theory is not merely a best guess. It is a hypothesis that - through experiment after experiment, study after study, analysis after analysis - has yet to be refuted.

... evolution is not only a theory, it's also a fact. The key to understanding evolution is to recognize how it can be both:
As a fact: Evolution is simply genetic changes occurring through time in a group of individuals (a population, a species, and so on). Scientists know that these changes occur. They can see the changes, measure them; in many instances, figure out when they happened.
As a theory: Evolutionary theory seeks to explain what's responsible for the evolutionary process - in other words, what causes these changes. What scientists know today is that natural selection and genetic drift are two key forces driving these changes."

--- Evolution For Dummies, page 335-336, by Greg Krukonis, PhD, Tracy Barr,

4 comments:

  1. Yes, the controversy of poor old Charles Darwin rages on. Hard to believe but true. 1/4 of all UK undergrads currently say they believe in creationism. Science may not be perfect (something the scientific community knows well), but it is absolutely the best we have. Without it, superstition and ignorance rule.

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    Replies
    1. "Science may not be perfect (something the scientific community knows well), but it is absolutely the best we have."
      --- Well said and I agree.

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