Do you accept that the theory of evolution is a fact?

Yes. Ever since we had a space program that proved there were no turtles holding up the earth.

That evolution occurs due to natural selection is a fact. We can see it before our eyes in species with short generations, like fruit flies.

Other claims about evolution, like the idea that certain human behaviors are a result of evolution, are much harder to prove, so I guess I wouldn’t call them fact. But there is sufficient evidence for me to believe in them.

Yes.

No I think it of it as a theory. Evidence is in its favor but not sure when a theory becomes a truth. Does it ever do so as long as there is continued investigation/assessment?

It depends on what you mean by “Theory of Evolution”. As @Mariah has noted, that evolution occurs is a fact; we know it to be true, as it can be demonstrated with certain rapid-generation life forms, including fruit flies and plants. That’s as factual as facts can be.

But the “Theory of Evolution” is subtler than the factual question of “does evolution occur or not?” Darwin’s theory was predicated on “natural selection” of the advanced ability to survive (and reproduce) of certain members of various species based on naturally-occurring mutations, an idea that all life is related and springs from a common origin, that complexity evolves from simplicity and many other related ideas.

Not every single facet of evolution has been proven in a way that we can say “we know” how, when and why it occurs. (Because there are scientific and real questions still out about “punctuated equilibrium” and other fine points of the Theory.)

So, yes: evolution occurs. No shit. But Theory of Evolution is… you’ll have to pardon the pun here… evolving science.

Parrot fish, flying fish, Wood Storks… it’s pretty obvious to me that Darwin was on to something better than the biblical account.

@rojo Yes but evolution is not just any theory, it is a scientific theory.

One of the facts of science, @NerdyKeith, is that there is no such thing as “settled science”. That would be religion, not science. Science is always curious, skeptical and, to a great extent, unknown.

Yes, without question. Ditto for global warming.

There is little doubt that evolution occurs. I think @CWOTUS nails it pretty good. Natural selection however is not the only way to evolve. It can and is manipulated. I see no conflict with religion or even Erich Von Daniken’s theory. Just because one theory can be supported by facts doesn’t preclude all others. Many can exist in harmony.

We are the result of evolution. Evolution is a special form of entropy.

I think the basic framework as Darwin laid out has been shown to be true but there are constantly revisions and updates added by modern evolutionary scientists.

Yes I do. I have a BA in Zoology in which evolution was consistently referred to in every biology class. I found that evolution is most strongly indicated were in invertebrate, comparative anatomy and historical geology classes. I think that some people don’t think that evolution is possible because of the infinitely complexes of life.

It seems impossible for a lot of people to go from a hodgepodge of chemicals to that of a living cell. But who among us can comprehend 50 thousand years of time? Who can comprehend 50 millions years? 500 million years?

“What seest thou else In the dark backward and abysm of time?”
―William Shakespeare The Tempest Act 1 Scene 2

The problem with throwing that word “theory” around is that the word suggests that evolution is somehow not an established FACT. It is every bit as much a fact as gravity, another little item that’s “just a theory.”

@stanleybmanly – only if the person doing the questioning isn’t aware of what the term “theory” means in a scientific context.

Yes indeedy. And we all know who they are.

Yep, 100%. Of course this still does not explain how something ( our universe ) manifested out of nothing, no-thing. That is still a mystery, the Big Bang still can;t explain why there is infinite space.

Evolution has nothing to do with the size of the universe, or even the origin of life. That’s like saying “Germ theory is OK and all but it doesn’t explain why objects fall toward the Earth.”

Of course.

Sure do. It’s the only most logical answer as yet.

@Coloma and @Seek that is why I mentioned Entropy and that happens to be a law. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entropy_and_life :)

@Seek I know, I meant that inspite of evolution we still don’t know HOW the universe manifested out nothingness. @cazzie Got’cha.

I found this resource very interesting.
I do believe in evolution, but I always wondered why it is said we descended from apes. Apes descended from what? They were not created directly by the force of a big bang. The episodes went there for me.

@Here2_4 I really really dislike it, as an educator, when people say ‘we are descended from apes’ and refer to new finds as ‘The Missing Link’. Both are inaccurate to a harmful degree.

Of course.

@Here2_4 I can understand the confusion. Humans and apes are, actually, great apes or hominids. We’re pretty closely related.

However, anyone who says we descended from apes is incorrect. Humans and apes descended from a common ancestor. The earliest ancestors were probably some sort of lemur-like primate.

“However, anyone who says we descended from apes is incorrect. Humans and apes descended from a common ancestor. The earliest ancestors were probably some sort of lemur-like primate.” —Cut and paste, easier than typing, thanks @Dutchess_III—

Yes, of course.

What are you talking about, @rojo?

Yes I do.

Yep.

@CWOTUS Oh don’t get me wrong. I’m not suggesting that anything is science is finalised. However there are understandings, that have so much peer reviewed evidence and data; that it is highly unlikely for them to be untrue. I would put the theory of evolution in that regard.

Oh, I see @rojo! I didn’t quite understand what you were getting at. Sorry I messed it up. ~ ;)