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Replay to Aschlafly
::: A good Easter to you, Jtl.--[[User:Aschlafly|Aschlafly]] 21:51, 8 April 2007 (EDT)
::: A good Easter to you, Jtl.--[[User:Aschlafly|Aschlafly]] 21:51, 8 April 2007 (EDT)
:::: When used without qualification in the late 20th and early 21st century, the "theory of evolution" refers to Darwin's theory (as modified), yes. Possibly so in 1873 as well; I don't know and don't make any claim to. What's important is that it's clear that that ''in this quote'', it does not. "No theory of evolution can be formed to account for the similarity of molecules"; simply by saying "no theory of evolution", Maxwell is suggesting there can be multiple different theories of evolution accounting for different things; otherwise he would have said "the theory of evolution". But more importantly, he continues to qualify what kind of theory he's talking about here: one which might attempt to "account for the similarity of molecules". If he's referring to Darwin's theory, then he's saying the blindingly obvious: Darwin's theory of evolution doesn't account for the similarity of molecules; that's correct, but not interesting. Darwin's theory doesn't attempt to account for that similarity.
:;:: I don't think the question of whether this is quote mining is a necessary one to deal with here. Taken solely on its own terms, this quote is clearly not speaking about Darwin's theory of biological evolution.
:::: A good Easter to you, as well. --[[User:Jtl|Jtl]] 22:31, 8 April 2007 (EDT)