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To: Coyoteman

Wow, you actually know of a fossil that PROVES evolution? Would you like to share with us. Or is it just a "faith" in evolution like some have "faith" in a Creator. If you have the proof, there are thousands of hopeful scientists that would like to look at it as there aren't any to date.


52 posted on 10/21/2006 11:05:50 PM PDT by fish hawk
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To: fish hawk
Wow, you actually know of a fossil that PROVES evolution? Would you like to share with us. Or is it just a "faith" in evolution like some have "faith" in a Creator. If you have the proof, there are thousands of hopeful scientists that would like to look at it as there aren't any to date.

Perhaps you should reread my post. It says nothing about proof.

By the way, scientists are aware that nothing in science can be proved; non-scientists are often unaware of this.

In science, a theory is the goal. When a theory has been supported by all available facts, and makes verifiable predictions, it is a very useful tool. But no theory in science is ever proved.

Take a look at the following definitions:

Theory: a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world; an organized system of accepted knowledge that applies in a variety of circumstances to explain a specific set of phenomena; "theories can incorporate facts and laws and tested hypotheses." Addendum: "Theories do not grow up to be laws. Theories explain laws." (Courtesy of VadeRetro.)

Theory: A scientifically testable general principle or body of principles offered to explain observed phenomena. In scientific usage, a theory is distinct from a hypothesis (or conjecture) that is proposed to explain previously observed phenomena. For a hypothesis to rise to the level of theory, it must predict the existence of new phenomena that are subsequently observed. A theory can be overturned if new phenomena are observed that directly contradict the theory. [Source]

When a scientific theory has a long history of being supported by verifiable evidence, it is appropriate to speak about "acceptance" of (not "belief" in) the theory; or we can say that we have "confidence" (not "faith") in the theory. It is the dependence on verifiable data and the capability of testing that distinguish scientific theories from matters of faith.


62 posted on 10/22/2006 7:46:02 AM PDT by Coyoteman (I love the sound of beta decay in the morning!)
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