Changes

The '''definition of evolution''' has three aspects: hereditary changes, appearance of new species, and a theory explaining both of these. Currently there are several [[theories of evolution]] so a precise definition of evolution is impossible.  It should be noted that most definitions of evolution make no claims as to the existence or non-existence of a god, though evolution is often inaccurately equated with [[atheism]].  

The '''definition of evolution''' has three aspects: hereditary changes, appearance of new species, and a theory explaining both of these. Currently there are several [[theories of evolution]] so a precise definition of evolution is impossible.  It should be noted that most definitions of evolution make no claims as to the existence or non-existence of a god, though evolution is often associated with [[atheism]].  

Several different meanings have been and still are used in [[Biology]] and in the [[Origins debate]], and this is itself part of the controversy over the general [[theory of evolution]].

Several different meanings have been and still are used in [[Biology]] and in the [[Origins debate]], and this is itself part of the controversy over the general [[theory of evolution]]. Partisans on all sides of the dispute have accused other parties of tricking people by exploiting differences in the meaning of the word "evolution". [[Creationist]]s charge that evolutionists often equivocate between different meanings<ref>See, for example, [http://www.creationontheweb.com/content/view/2891#Definitions Definitions as slippery as eels] in ''Who’s really pushing ‘bad science’?'', by Jonathan Sarfati.</ref>, while [[evolutionist]]s acknowledge that not clearly defining the term leads to confusion.  The term evolution is most commonly used to describe [[Darwin]]ian evolution by means of natural selection.

Partisans on all sides of the dispute have accused other parties of tricking people by exploiting differences in the meaning of the word "evolution".

[[Creationist]]s charge that evolutionists often equivocate between different meanings<ref>See, for example, [http://www.creationontheweb.com/content/view/2891#Definitions Definitions as slippery as eels] in ''Who’s really pushing ‘bad science’?'', by Jonathan Sarfati.</ref>, while [[evolutionist]]s acknowledge that not clearly defining the term leads to confusion.

==Definition of Evolution as Change Over Time==

==Definition of Evolution as Change Over Time==

Instead, it is defined as the development of life from some last universal common ancestor, from which all plants, animals, fungi, and other life on Earth are directly descended.

Instead, it is defined as the development of life from some last universal common ancestor, from which all plants, animals, fungi, and other life on Earth are directly descended.

Webster's dictionary put it as, "...the development of a species, organism, or organ from its original or primitive state to its present or specialized state; phylogeny or ontogeny"<ref Name="TO">Quoted in [http://www.talkorigins.org/faqs/evolution-definition.html What is Evolution], by Laurence Moran.</ref>

Webster's dictionary put it as, "...the development of a species, organism, or organ from its original or primitive state to its present or specialized state; phylogeny or ontogeny"<ref name="TO">Quoted in [http://www.talkorigins.org/faqs/evolution-definition.html What is Evolution], by Laurence Moran.</ref>

This is the main concept behind the definition provided by the Oxford Concise Science Dictionary (although this definition has been criticised in other aspects<ref>Laurence Moran on Talk.Origins criticises the definition for excluding [[prokaryotes]], protozoa, and fungi, and for specifying ''gradual'' changes, and other reasons.</ref>): "The gradual process by which the present diversity of plant and animal life arose from the earliest and most primitive organisms, which is believed to have been continuing for the past 3000 million years".<ref name="TO" />

This is the main concept behind the definition provided by the Oxford Concise Science Dictionary (although this definition has been criticised in other aspects<ref>Laurence Moran on Talk.Origins criticises the definition for excluding [[prokaryotes]], protozoa, and fungi, and for specifying ''gradual'' changes, and other reasons.</ref>): "The gradual process by which the present diversity of plant and animal life arose from the earliest and most primitive organisms, which is believed to have been continuing for the past 3000 million years".<ref name="TO" />