Hi James M. Clark Professor of Psychology 204-786-9757 204-774-4134 Fax [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>>> [EMAIL PROTECTED] 30-Dec-05 11:10:20 AM >>> At 12:07 AM -0600 12/30/05, jim guinee wrote: >I at least have read enough to know that there are plenty of scientists out >there, non-religious ones, who find many flaws with evolution, but >those like Dawkins who scream it's a FACT shout down and intimidate >those who disagree. No contradiction here. There are many biologists who find weaknesses in particular mechanisms proposed to account for evolution (such as the many varieties of natural selection and genetic drift), but this does not prevent them from accepting evolution itself as a demonstrated fact. -- Jim is incorrect to state that evolution as fact is a minority view in biology. Check out the following sites, among many others. Stephen J. Gould is one of many biologists who has strongly asserted the evolution as fact and theory position. And Gould has been as conciliatory as any with respect to religion. http://www.talkorigins.org/faqs/evolution-fact.html http://www.stephenjaygould.org/library/gould_fact-and-theory.html http://www.actionbioscience.org/evolution/lenski.html A number of biological organizations have taken formal positions on this, unless of course Dawkins has been very active infiltrating these organizations. At http://www.rci.rutgers.edu/~ecolevol/fulldoc.html, we find the following. Note the reference to "most biologists". *------------------- It is important to distinguish between the history of evolution and the processes held to explain this history. Most biologists regard the history of evolution*the proposition that all species have descended, with modification, from common ancestors*as a fact*that is, a claim supported by such overwhelming evidence that it is accepted as true. The body of principles that describe the causal processes of evolution, such as mutation, genetic drift, and natural selection, constitutes the theory of evolution. "Theory" is used here as it is used throughout science, as in "quantum theory" or "atomic theory," to mean not mere speculation, but a well-established system or body of statements that explain a group of phenomena. Although most of the details of the history of evolution remain to be described (as is true also of human history), the statement that there has been a history of common ancestry and modification is as fully confirmed a fact as any in biology. In contrast, the theory of evolution, like all scientific theories, continues to develop as new information and ideas deepen our understanding. Evolutionary biologists have great confidence that the major causes of evolution have been identified. However, views on the relative importance of the various processes continue to change as new information adds detail and modifies our understanding. Yet, to cite evolution as a fact can invite controversy, for probably no claim in all of science evokes as much emotional opposition. Thus we include Appendix I, entitled "Evolution: Fact, Theory, Controversy." This background information is provided about this statement. *---------------------------------------------- Prepared by delegates representing the following scientific societies. These societies have all endorsed the final document. American Society of Naturalists Animal Behavior Society Ecological Society of America Genetics Society of America Paleontological Society Society for Molecular Biology and Evolution Society of Systematic Biologists Society for the Study of Evolution *---------------------------------------------- Without knowing what Jim has been reading, it is difficult to see any foundation in the mainstream literature for his position that there are "plenty of scientists who find many flaws with evolution," other than details about mechanisms as Paul noted. Take care Jim --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [email protected] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
