Stephen Black wrote:
> On Wed, 18 Aug 1999, Jim Guinee wrote:
> >
> > Very often today evolution is talked about as a fact, not a theory. Same
> > thing with the big bang theory -- I have seen many presentations that it is
> > discussed as a fact....
>
> Evolution is a fact, not a theory. Any argument is about the details
> only. Sigh.
>
We have discussed before the distinction between a fact and a theory. This is how I
understand it. Evolution is a fact (in that the evidence is overwhelmingly in favor of
it), and it also is a theory (an explanation): it allows us to understand the
similarities and differences among the multitude of species on our planet (those that
are extinct and extant). In a similar way, we explain the observation that the sun
appears to rise in the east and set in the west by the theory that the Earth rotates on
its axis once ever 24 hours (approximately). This theory is also a fact: the evidence
is overwhelmingly in favor of it.
Not even suppressing a sigh,
Jeff
P.S. Stephen will get only one copy of this because I have good e-mail etiquette.
--
Jeffry P. Ricker, Ph.D. Office Phone: (480) 423-6213
9000 E. Chaparral Rd. FAX Number: (480) 423-6298
Psychology Department [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Scottsdale Community College
Scottsdale, AZ 85256-2626
"The truth is rare and never simple."
Oscar Wilde
