| theprof00 said: Starfighter, what you're both saying is correct in a way. Neither of you are wrong. Evolution is fact. Evolution is also theory. The problem, is that the English language uses theory in a different way. The whole problem would be solved of the word theory was replaced by the word explanation. The explanation of evolution is the only thing we cannot fully explain. Theories are constantly evolving in order to include more info, but they are rarely significantly changed in meaning. It's true that scientists use theory in a non-constant way, but it doesn't make it less factual. For example, let's make a situation where there is a "theory of alphabet" which would say the alphabet is a series of symbols that represent sounds commonly found in english vocal range, and used to convey those words in a published format. If one day we were able to convert letters into colors, the "theory of alphabet" might have to be altered to cover a non-publicated or audible format. It doesn't mean the alphabet isn't there plain for anyone to see, it just means that there is more to explain "why" the alphabet is what it is. Maybe a dull example, but the quickest I could think of off the top of my head. For further reference, look up the evolving theory of gravity, with research done by a recent scientist that might alter the definition slightly in order to account for dark matter. |
That's not correct, and your example is ironically a good one. Evolution is not a fact, because it is not indisputable. There have been silly people that have said dinosaur bones were put in the ground to tempt us. This is extremely likely to not be true, but since none of us were there to see the bones get in the ground, we can't say, indisputably, that it didn't happen. And scientists, such as myself, keep an open mind to all options, no matter how ridiculous. And that's why we use the term scientific theory. It is accepted as truth, but like most scientific observations of our natural world, is not and likely never will be, indisputable.
The term "fact" should be reserved for human-defined concepts or observations in nature that have been 100% observed. The alphabet, for example, is a human created idea. We don't have a theory to describe it, because it was created by us. We defined what it is. The alphabet starts with "A". This is a fact, because it's human creators decided this was to be.
Until we talk to whoever made evolution, or develop a time machine to observe its beginnings through to its end, it will remain a scientific theory which means it's really, really, really likely true, and what people are trying to say when they say it's not a theory, it's a fact. They just don't understand what theory means.
