Evolution explained

by rebel8 8 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

  • rebel8
    rebel8

    Difference between Scientific Laws, Hypotheses, and Theories: http://wilstar.com/theories.htm

    Hypothesis: This is an educated guess based upon observation. It is a rational explanation of a single event or phenomenon based upon what is observed, but which has not been proved. Most hypotheses can be supported or refuted by experimentation or continued observation.
    Theory: A theory is more like a scientific law than a hypothesis. A theory is an explanation of a set of related observations or events based upon proven hypotheses and verified multiple times by detached groups of researchers. One scientist cannot create a theory; he can only create a hypothesis

    Understanding evolution: http://evolution.berkeley.edu/evolibrary/home.php

    Information on controversies in the public arena relating to evolution: http://evolution.berkeley.edu/evolibrary/controversy_faq.php

    Misconceptions about evolution and the mechanisms of evolution: http://evolution.berkeley.edu/evolibrary/misconceptions_faq.php

    Myth: "Evolution is a theory about the origin of life."
    Response: "Evolutionary theory deals mainly with how life changed after its origin. Science does try to investigate how life started (e.g., whether or not it happened near a deep-sea vent, which organic molecules came first, etc.), but these considerations are not the central focus of evolutionary theory. Regardless of how life started, afterwards it branched and diversified, and most studies of evolution are focused on those processes."
  • drwtsn32
    drwtsn32

    Good stuff.

    So many people are thrown off by the scientific term "theory." They think it means the same as the colloquial definition.

  • hooberus
    hooberus

    http://evolution.berkeley.edu/evolibrary/misconceptions_faq.php

    Myth: "Evolution is a theory about the origin of life."
    Response: "Evolutionary theory deals mainly with how life changed after its origin. Science does try to investigate how life started (e.g., whether or not it happened near a deep-sea vent, which organic molecules came first, etc.), but these considerations are not the central focus of evolutionary theory. Regardless of how life started, afterwards it branched and diversified, and most studies of evolution are focused on those processes." From another page of the same site:

    From another page on the same site:

    http://evolution.berkeley.edu/evolibrary/article/origsoflife_01

    "Evolution encompasses a wide range of phenomena: from the emergence of major lineages, to mass extinctions, to the evolution of antibiotic resistant bacteria in hospitals today. However, within the field of evolutionary biology, the origin of life is of special interest because it addresses the fundamental question of where we (and all living things) came from."

    This illustrates well the tactics evolutionists use on this particular issue. In response to creationist arguments on the particular issue of the origin of life (such ashttp://www.creationresearch.org/crsq/articles/36/36_4/abiogenesis.html ) evolutionists frequently resond with statements similar the first above [though normally more dogmatic]. However, to the public (and especially students) they continue promote alleged "positive" evidence for the origin of life as part of the evolutionary version of history, that they desire other to believe.

  • middleman
    middleman

    Hmmmm.......

  • Alpaca
    Alpaca

    It's all about being intellectually honest with ourselves.

    For many, to accept the overwhelming evidence for evolutionary processes that have been at work on the earth for 2.5 billion years, raises the horrifying possibility that maybe we were not specially created, maybe this is all there is, maybe there is no life after death, no heaven or hell.

    In fact maybe there is nothing so special about humans...we just happened to end up the top dogs with the big brains during the last geologic blink.

    Even considering the possibilities is so scary for many people they prefer to do the whole ostrich head-in-the-sand exercise.

  • drwtsn32
    drwtsn32

    Hoob, what are you whining about? The difference between evolution and abiogenesis? There certainly is a distinction between the two, but of course they are related and both of interest.

    Usually when biologists stress the difference between the two, it's in response to some creationist nonsense where they attack evolution based on the less-certain theory of abiogenesis.

    This is not a "trick" by biologists, despite what you and Kirk Cameron want to believe.

  • jaguarbass
    jaguarbass

    I used to argue against evolution. But the older I get and the more I read the more I realize

    I dont really know what is going on or what has gone on.

    I try to be intellectually honest and I try to find the truth.

    I know I cant defend the bible or religon.

    And every theory has an upside and a downside, the devil is always in the details.

    Today the best explanations I have found for what is going on in life on this world

    start with Zechariah Sitchin and the 12th planet.

    Then there is a whole culture of others who have followed his theme and modified and

    elaborated and expanded on it.

    Its hard to get a clear accurate read on what is going on, which the realization of might

    help one in figuring out what is going on.

  • Kudra
    Kudra

    Today the best explanations I have found for what is going on in life on this world

    start with Zechariah Sitchin and the 12th planet.

    -by far the most well founded of all ideas regarding the subject.

  • Kudra
    Kudra

    mmm, uh, evolution is elegant.

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