I need help with a school presentation. Is evolution a fact or theory?

Question

Is it a fact or theory? If it is a fact, then what is makes it a fact? What proves it?
I'm sorry, I was forced to present this topic :S I don't know a lot about evolution or science, but I have to present tomorrow and I really need help. It may sound weird but this presentation is for my English class. Lol.

Answer 1

Evolution is BOTH a fact AND a theory.



Just like *Gravity* is BOTH a fact AND a theory.





To understand this, you need to know what 'fact' and 'theory' mean in science, and why the same word can refer to both kinds of concept. Then you need to know what 'evolution' means, and why it would qualify as both.



In science, a 'fact' is something that is observed to be true. Note that a fact is not "proved" to be true ... it is *OBSERVED* to be true ... something we decide is supported with observations.



A 'theory' is an EXPLANATION for facts. It is a common misconception that the word 'theory' means "in doubt" or "not yet proved to be a fact". This is a COMPLETELY WRONG understanding of what a 'theory' is, and why it is such a central concept in science. Since a theory is an EXPLANATION for facts, a theory can never "become" a fact. Ever. Never. Ever. Ever.





So as a warm up, consider the word 'gravity'. When we say that "gravity is a fact" we are referring to the familiar facts that objects fall to the ground, tides rise, and planets orbit the sun. Those are the observed *facts* of gravity.



But the "Theory of Gravity" is the EXPLANATION for WHY those facts are true. The theory of gravity holds that there is a gravitational *force* that exists between all matter, and the greater the mass, and the small the distance between two objects, the greater the effects of this gravitational force.



So Gravity is BOTH a 'fact' AND a 'theory'.





So what about evolution? First, what does the word 'evolution' mean? In a nutshell it means *change*. Evolution is the change in the traits of a population (like a species) over generations. That's it.



It is an observed FACT that species change over time. We can observe this in the way that dog breeds become more differentiated over generations; in the breeding of racehorses, dairy cows, corn, wheat and championship tomatoes; in the way that antibiotics bottles have instructions to "finish all your antibiotics" because otherwise the bacteria can develop resistance to the antibiotics; in the way that you need a new flu shot this year because this year's flu viruses are immune to last year's flu shot; and yes in the way that we observe changes in species over geological time in the fossil record.



What we call the THEORY of Evolution is the EXPLANATION for WHY species change. This is Darwin's theory of Natural Selection ... individual born with some advantageous traits, will tend to leave more offspring that inherit those traits ... so that is WHY populations change over generations.





So the misconception is that the "theory of X" means, the question of whether X occurs. It is not. The FACT of evolution (that species change) is no more "in doubt" than the FACT of gravity (that objects fall to the ground). The Theory of X is the EXPLANATION for WHY X occurs.





Bottom line ... anytime you hear the words "just a theory" (or "only a theory" or "still a theory"), this is a *red flag* that the person uttering those words DOES NOT UNDERSTAND SCIENCE AT ALL.



Would they say that "gravity is just a theory"? Or refer to cell theory, atomic theory, photon theory, heliocentric theory, the germ theory of disease, the theory of relativity, quantum theory, etc. etc. are all "just a theory"???

Answer 2

:-D You have a lot of research to do tonight.



First, you have to understand that the "Theory of Evolution" is predicated upon Natural Selection. Natural Selection is the process by which certain traits (longer legs, spots, whatever) provide benefits which make them adaptive. Because these traits make the organism better able to deal with their environment, the organisms which possess them have better chances to produce offspring to carry on those traits.



Now, accepting that... Evolution is a Theory. It is a well established and very sound theory, but it is just a theory. There are numerous examples of "evolution in action" such as "classical" example of the peppered moth (look it up on google), the more modern development of antibiotic resistant bacteria, or the highly conserved structure of the Cytochrome C protein. Discussing these issues will easily give you enough material for your presentation.

Answer 3

Evolution is a theory that has enough evidence that scientists believe it to be true. However, since you can't prove it completely, it is still a theory. There is evidence that points to it to be true though. For example, bones of our "ancestors" have been found in and around Africa. These fossils are not the fossils are complete humans but not exactly monkeys either. They have characteristics of both.



http://www.becominghuman.org/

^ Try looking at this site. It explains EVERYTHING. and there should be a movie somewhere on the site that you can watch. I had to watch it for my science class last semester.



Good luck with your presentation

Answer 4

In science there are no "facts" there is hypothesis, Theory, and law. A hypothesis is like an idea, it is something early on, with little or no work done to prove it. Evolution is a very well respected theory. The work of Charles Darwin in the Galapagos Islands in the 1800s is the first and best proof in many ways. He found many animals that were almost identical, but with minor differences that allowed them to survive in different circumstances. You should look up Darwin and the Galapagos Islands.





Since I covered hypothesis and theory I should mention law. Laws are old and pretty much universally accepted theory. One of the best examples is the law of gravity. Find someone who doesn't believe in gravity. Evolution is very nearly a law, at this point only a handful of religious fundamentalists are still fighting its acceptance.

Answer 5

It is both.



The fact of evolution is the change in allele frequencies present in a population through time. It is the process that governs change and increases biodiversity, it what leads to speciation and higher taxonomic groups and yes, this has been observed several times.



The theory of evolution is a model built upon this fact which attempts to explain how this process applies to the past, present and future. The model is based on a number of facts and is developed through predictions and tested and confirmed hypotheses.

Answer 6

http://www.notjustatheory.com/



Evolution is a fact. We have observed it on the micro level and can see it on the macro level through the fossil records. The theory of evolution attempts to explain why or how evolution occurs (natural selection). Consider the theory of gravity. You wouldn't say, "Oh, it's just a theory" would you? No, because gravity is an observable fact. The theory of gravity just attempts to explain why or how it occurs.

Answer 7

It is a "scientific theory". That is not to be confused with the typical use of the word theory. Scientific theory's are based on evidence, not just random guessing like regular theories.

Answer 8

The publically accepted certainty of evolution depends on the extent of evolution that you are talking about... Microevolution, and adaptations are concepts that are accepted to be certain.. Whereas universal evolution or macroevolution is much more debated, especially when it is used to explain creation

Answer 9

it's just a theory. I mean if evolution were true wouldn't we al be turning into something better that human? at leats a little bit? and all the animals too. they've been the same for a really long time shouldn't thay be changing too?

If we evolve from monkey why havent the current monkeys started to change into human. They say they have proof but really there is no real proof at all.