RE: [asa] Is evolution a fact?

Experimental science is based on generalizations of historical propositions, viz., scientific data or facts. Laws of Nature summarize data. Theories not only derive the laws of Nature with a minimum of suppositions but also are not themselves facts. A fact is a historical event. However, if the initial condition of the universe is the Big Bang and there is nothing but Nature, then the present state of Nature indicates that man evolved from the early matter in the Universe. Therefore, evolution is a fact. However, if you disagree with any of the premises, then the conclusion may not follow. Otherwise it does!

Yes, I am :-)

 
Moorad

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From: asa-owner@lists.calvin.edu on behalf of Gregory Arago
Sent: Wed 5/28/2008 10:45 AM
To: Don Winterstein; asa; George Cooper
Subject: Re: [asa] Is evolution a fact?

Any change of meaning in the following?

"A theory by definition cannot be a fact. Evolution is both a theory and a fact; but the theory of evolution is not the same as the fact of natural history, although the theory [of evolution] leans on the fact [of natural history].
 
The fact of natural history is abundantly and most compellingly evident in the fossil record: Fossils clearly indicate that organisms 500 million years ago were quite unlike organisms 100 million years ago which in turn were quite unlike organisms existing today. These changes in organisms are facts of natural history and taken together make natural history a fact."
 
A. Moorad is smiling! ;-)
 

Don Winterstein <dfwinterstein@msn.com> wrote:

        A theory by definition cannot be a fact. Evolution is both a theory and a fact; but the theory of evolution is not the same as the fact of evolution, although the theory leans on the fact.
         
        The fact of evolution is abundantly and most compellingly evident in the fossil record: Fossils clearly indicate that organisms 500 million years ago were quite unlike organisms 100 million years ago which in turn were quite unlike organisms existing today. These changes in organisms are facts of evolution and taken together make evolution a fact.

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Received on Wed May 28 11:53:13 2008