Difference between revisions of "Definition of evolution"
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* '''Universal common ancestor.''' This is the idea that there is some last universal common ancestor, from which all plants, animals, fungi, and other life on Earth are directly descended. | * '''Universal common ancestor.''' This is the idea that there is some last universal common ancestor, from which all plants, animals, fungi, and other life on Earth are directly descended. | ||
| − | * ''' | + | * '''An atheist philosophy.''' This says that man is no better than an animal; that Earth is insignificant; that progress does not exist; that the history of life is unguided, unplanned, and random; and that materialist explanations have replaced all spiritual ones. Various other ideas may also be included, depending on the evolutionist. |
When evolution is defined simply as "the gradual appearance of new forms of life" over geological time, then 55% of Americans agree with [[biologists]] and [[geologists]] that evolution has really occurred. Disagreement on this point comes mainly from [[Young Earth Creationists]]. | When evolution is defined simply as "the gradual appearance of new forms of life" over geological time, then 55% of Americans agree with [[biologists]] and [[geologists]] that evolution has really occurred. Disagreement on this point comes mainly from [[Young Earth Creationists]]. | ||
But when defined more narrowly as new forms of life coming into being "without any intervention from God", only 13% to 16% of Americans agree. | But when defined more narrowly as new forms of life coming into being "without any intervention from God", only 13% to 16% of Americans agree. | ||
Revision as of 16:44, March 27, 2007
The definition of evolution is itself part of the controversy over evolution. There are several meanings in common use.
- Change in the history of the universe. This includes biological change, and non-biological change, such as galaxy formation. When evolutionist Theodosius Dobzhansky (1900-1975) said, "Nothing in biology makes sense except in the light of evolution",[1] he meant that "Evolution comprises all the stages of the development of the universe: the cosmic, biological, and human or cultural developments. Attempts to restrict the concept of evolution to biology are gratuitous."[2]
- Descent with modification. E.O. Wilson defines, "evolution is any change in gene frequency in a population." This is narrower than the first definition because it just includes biological change, and only those changes which are inherited.
- Universal common ancestor. This is the idea that there is some last universal common ancestor, from which all plants, animals, fungi, and other life on Earth are directly descended.
- An atheist philosophy. This says that man is no better than an animal; that Earth is insignificant; that progress does not exist; that the history of life is unguided, unplanned, and random; and that materialist explanations have replaced all spiritual ones. Various other ideas may also be included, depending on the evolutionist.
When evolution is defined simply as "the gradual appearance of new forms of life" over geological time, then 55% of Americans agree with biologists and geologists that evolution has really occurred. Disagreement on this point comes mainly from Young Earth Creationists.
But when defined more narrowly as new forms of life coming into being "without any intervention from God", only 13% to 16% of Americans agree.