AARRGGHH-- for the last frikkin' time, evolution is NOT a theory.... [View All]

[mike_c]

Just came from reading-- and despairing-- in this thread: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x2761952

Stamp this on your forehead, folks: evolution is NOT a theory. Not even in the sense that scientists use the term "theory." It is an observable phenomenon, i.e. a fact, just as real as time, tides, and taxes. Okay, maybe more real than time.

Seriously, even among apparently well educated people here on DU, there is real ignorance about just what biological evolution is. As a biologist, and especially as a biology professor, I find this REALLY distressing.

There are theories that explain the mechanisms of evolution, most of which (natural selection, mutation, genetic drift, and so on) enjoy mountains of supporting data. There are theories about the role of evolution in speciation, most of which are even better supported-- I think you'd have trouble assembling more than half a dozen working biologists worldwide who disagree that microevolution is the primary engine of macroevolution (speciation, in brief).

Nonetheless, there is nothing speculative about evolution itself. It is directly observable. It happens in real life. You can watch it happening if you want to, just like you can watch the fall of ballistic objects and bear witness to the reality of gravity.

The next time you feel compelled to use the phrase "theory of evolution" stop and remember that that phrase reflects fundamental misunderstanding about what evolution is. Now flame away if you like-- I have to go teach a class, but I'll check back later in my flame retardant cape and cowl.