Re: Chez Watt Re: Quote Mine Project - Part II

On Wed, 26 Nov 2003 15:56:59 +0000 (UTC), "Scot McDermid"
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

>
>"Christopher A. Lee" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in message
>news:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>> On Wed, 26 Nov 2003 13:27:58 +0000 (UTC), [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>> (Erik) wrote:
>>
>>
>> >> Good point but naturalist had rejected the creationist myths because
>the
>> >> evidence did not support creation. Evolution was accepted as a valid
>theory,
>> >> with natural selection most favored. The evidence collected on the
>voyage of the
>> >> Beagle proved the theory. So evolution is no longer a theory. Rather it
>a
>> >> accepted fact.
>> >
>> >No, it is the prevailing theory, that is all.
>
>The problem here is that the lay public doesn't understand what the
>scientist means by the word "theory".  A theory is not some generic
>term that means "best guess".  Theory means "explanation".
>
>For example, Darwin observed that several types birds around the
>Galapagos Islands were remarkably similar.  The "observed fact"
>is the similarity among these birds.  His hypothesis (speculative
>explanation) was that these birds evolved from a common ancester.
>His speculative explanation has been proven over and over and over
>and over and it is now accepted as true.  So we don't call it a
>"speculative explanation" or "speculative theory": we call it a "theory".

However, there are several scientific definitions for "evolution"
depending which field they are in. All of which are in terms of
something observed.

The theory is the explanation for the fact.

In genetics the fact is the observed variation of allele frequencies
in populations. The theory is the explanation for this.

In palaeontology the fact is the observed variation and divergence of
species over time. The theory is the explanation for this.

Et cetera.

But you're right.

The word "theory" doesn't mean wild-assed-guess.




>So, the Theory of Evolution is the prevailing EXPLANATION and
>is also accepted as fact.
>
>On the other hand "Law" means "description". The LAW of
>Gravity is a mathematical description of how objects attract
>each other.
>Theories will never become Laws.
>
>Reference:  Myth 1 of
>http://alex.edfac.usyd.edu.au/methods/science/Ten%20myths%20of%20Science%20(McComas)
>