Pet Peeve: "Evolution is just a theory!"

basilmarket.com forums : Chat | 15 posts archived

thread starter Mandrake Jul 22 2009 + PM | QUOTE | PERMALINK | REPORT

Ah, my blood boils and my knuckles whiten when I hear this. If you think that this is even a somewhat rational thing to say, you must first understand what "theory" means in a scientific context. It's the closest you can come to absolutely proving a hypothesis (actually, proof doesn't even exist in science-- "proof" is a mathematical term.) Secondly, it's clear that anyone who spouts this kind of baseless claim is ignorant of the scientific method, or at least how it works (science is self-regulating, and mistakes are eliminated rather quickly.) This is the reality: Evolution is a fact. There's no getting around it, especially because there's virtually no debate as to its legitimacy. Sadly, creationists are happy to distort this, with plenty of junk science and a loud voice. The scientific community isn't divided over the issue at all, and the idea of creationism isn't even a valid scientific hypothesis to begin with (again, refer to the scientific method) and the notion that schools should expose children to empty-minded dogma under the guise of real science is horrendous. In doing that, you've debased science to what appears to be nothing more than guesswork, and children's minds suffer. Now if you believe in almighty God, then that's perfectly alright-- No doubt some readers will be unable to handle disagreement without taking personal offense, but my gripe is that knowledge is being impeded by archaic dogma, which of course makes no sense.

LogicCannon 07/22/09 + PM | QUOTE | PERMALINK | REPORT

Your avatar reminds me of Javier Juevos. Evolution ROCKS.

Delete 07/22/09 + PM | QUOTE | PERMALINK | REPORT

Pet Peeve: 5th evolution thread today.

RiftRun 07/22/09 + PM | QUOTE | PERMALINK | REPORT

You're late. Take your "facts" elsewhere please.

shoomoo 07/22/09 + PM | QUOTE | PERMALINK | REPORT

In your second paragraph, you said evolution is a fact. Evolution is actually still a theory. There's no getting around it, especially because no one was able to observe humans since prehistoric times. Btw, I believe in evolution so don't flame me! XD

xassassin150 07/22/09 + PM | QUOTE | PERMALINK | REPORT

EEEEKK! Better eat my veggies then.

Mandrake 07/22/09 + PM | QUOTE | PERMALINK | REPORT

shoomoo said: "In your second paragraph, you said evolution is a fact. Evolution is actually still a theory. There's no getting around it, especially because no one was able to observe humans since prehistoric times." As I stated, a scientific theory is the highest attainable validity you can get, unless you can prove it mathematically . Seems many people have no problem accepting the theory of electromagnetism or the theory of plate tectonics, but suddenly when evolution is brought to the table, certain people want to debase it and turn "theory" from a status of high regard, to murky uncertainty. Observation is not a prerequisite for something to be considered a fact. Peer review, replication, evidence-- these are the things that contribute to that. Because the overwhelming majority of the scientific community accepts it based on evidence and NOT faith, it becomes a fact and can then be added to school science books (which it is).

freejuspower 07/22/09 + PM | QUOTE | PERMALINK | REPORT

the human mind fails too comprehend what you are sayinig that is why it makes no sense to you

Shad Jul 22 2009 + PM | QUOTE | PERMALINK | REPORT

Delete said: "Pet Peeve: 5th evolution thread today." Pet Peeve: People who count the number of threads relating to the same subject per day. Mandrake said: " Ah, my blood boils and my knuckles whiten when I hear this. If you think that this is even a somewhat rational thing to say, you must first understand what "theory" means in a scientific context. It's the closest you can come to absolutely proving a hypothesis (actually, proof doesn't even exist in science-- "proof" is a mathematical term.) " Doesn't the term "theory" mean something can't be proven directly and has a chance to be proven wrong? Also in science isn't a law something that's proven to always happen (a ball will always fall to the ground when it's been drooped)

shoomoo 07/22/09 + PM | QUOTE | PERMALINK | REPORT

Mandrake said: " As I stated, a scientific theory is the highest attainable validity you can get, unless you can prove it mathematically . Seems many people have no problem accepting the theory of electromagnetism or the theory of plate tectonics, but suddenly when evolution is brought to the table, certain people want to debase it and turn "theory" from a status of high regard, to murky uncertainty. Observation is not a prerequisite for something to be considered a fact. Peer review, replication, evidence-- these are the things that contribute to that. Because the overwhelming majority of the scientific community accepts it based on evidence and NOT faith, it becomes a fact and can then be added to school science books (which it is)." I just meant that there is some uncertainty. Just like the person above said, it isn't a law that apes will become humans over time.

imnotwhorty 07/22/09 + PM | QUOTE | PERMALINK | REPORT

LogicCannon said: "Your avatar reminds me of Javier Juevos. Evolution ROCKS." o.o it reminds me of hitler

Delete 07/22/09 + PM | QUOTE | PERMALINK | REPORT

Shad said: " Pet Peeve: People who count the number of threads relating to the same subject per day. Doesn't the term "theory" mean something can't be proven directly and has a chance to be proven wrong? Also in science isn't a law something that's proven to always happen (a ball will always fall to the ground when it's been drooped)" Well sorry I piss you off, I'll try to change it next time

BabyyAle 07/22/09 + PM | QUOTE | PERMALINK | REPORT

errr what?

Mandrake 07/22/09 + PM | QUOTE | PERMALINK | REPORT

Shad said: "Doesn't the term "theory" mean something can't be proven directly and has a chance to be proven wrong? Also in science isn't a law something that's proven to always happen (a ball will always fall to the ground when it's been drooped)" There exists no official scientific criteria for a "law." It's a term that's used to describe something that achieves acceptance through widespread use. You've given me a wonderful opportunity to remind everyone that what we usually call the law of gravity is technically the theory of gravity. Theories are aptly named because they can change based on new evidence (note: I don't mean contradictory evidence, this would require a new hypothesis!)

Jinxiy 07/22/09 + PM | QUOTE | PERMALINK | REPORT

It should be called something other than the theory of evolution, then.