Evolution: Just a Theory?

By MrCopilot, published Jan 24, 2008
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Terms used in an intelligent debate require mutual understanding for the conversation to have any value to both parties. In any discussion on evolution a certain phrase comes up in which there appears not to be mutual understanding. That phrase is "Evolution is only a theory." or "Evolution is just one theory."
Intelligent Design proponents toot this horn as often as they can. In some cases deliberately misunderstanding the meaning of the word theory to bolster their argument to an undereducated public.

Webster's online dictionary has no less than six definitions for the word theory.

1:the analysis of a set of facts in their relation to one another

2:abstract thought :speculation

3:the general or abstract principles of a body of fact, a science, or an art theory>

4 a: a belief, policy, or procedure proposed or followed as the basis of action theory that all children want to learn> b:an ideal or hypothetical set of facts, principles, or circumstances -often used in the phrase in theory, we have always advocated freedom for all>

5:a plausible or scientifically acceptable general principle or body of principles offered to explain phenomena theory of light>

6 a:a hypothesis assumed for the sake of argument or investigation
b:an unproved assumption :conjecture

c:a body of theorems presenting a concise systematic view of a subject theory of equations>

The theory of evolution falls under definitions 1. the analysis of a set of facts in their relation to one another and 5. a plausible or scientifically acceptable general principle or body of principles offered to explain phenomena.

 
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Evolution: Just a Theory?
Evolution: Just a Theory?
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Julia Margaret Cameron's Portrait of Charles Darwin

Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Copyright: Public Domain

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ID's negative attacks on evolution have been refuted by the scientific community, ...ID has failed to gain acceptance in the scientific community, it has not generated peer-reviewed publications, nor has it been the subject of testing and research.
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Showing Comments 1 - 4 of 4
 
 
Booooring. Has it occurred to you that there's more to existence than meets the eyes and MAYBE, just MAYBE as humans being restricted to our own understanding, let alone the limitations of our potential, that we just MIGHT not be able to fully comprehend why it MISTAKENLY APPEARS TO US through our own studies that evolution is the answer to life? And sweet kilobytes, use his name for Pete's sake! His name isn't "Intelligent Design", it's God. Well, technically it's YHWH, but seriously, can't you just call him God instead of "Intelligent Design"? Besides, "God" is shorter than "Intelligent Design"... if you really don't believe in him, wouldn't you rather spend less time on his name anyway? Good, then use the proper name. Oh, by the way... God bless...

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Posted on 06/10/2008 at 9:06:54 AM

 
How is this a straw man argument, Jadd? The link you provide repeats the exact same argument. It mistakenly tries to blur the definitions of science and theory. In science a "Theory" is an explanation of MANY facts and observations. If new observations and facts are found to contradict the theory, it is refined or replaced. If you or Creation Ministries International have facts or observations that contradict the Theory of Evolution, we would all love to see them. The statements made concerning the ability to observe or repeat the tenets of evolution take no account of DNA and Genetic Science that are studied daily which accumulate supporting evidence of evolution. FYI, We've seen the bible and it is acceptable as neither fact nor observation. Perhaps you could conduct experiments to gather observations for that purpose. Many have been done to support it. None have shown unpredictable contradictory results.

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Posted on 02/13/2008 at 11:02:30 PM

 
Straw man fallacy! This article exposes this: http://tinyurl.com/23szw8

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Posted on 02/11/2008 at 2:02:38 PM

 
Interesting read!

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Posted on 01/27/2008 at 12:01:31 AM

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