What are the four types of evidence that support the theory of evolution what are they?
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One website says the following:\n\n"The evidence for evolution has primarily come from four sources:\n\n1.     the fossil record of change in earlier species \n2. the chemical and anatomical similarities of related life forms \n3. the geographic distribution of related species \n4.   the recorded genetic changes in living organisms over many generations"\n\nIt goes on to explain each of these...
859494
how can you believe in evolution when there is no proof?
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Hi, EyeLoveJesus!  I like your question!  :-)   Evolution is still a theory---it is not proven 100% yet.  Science is also not stoic and unchanging---it is always flexing and changing over time and by different discoveries.  I don't agree that scientists are "desperate to disprove "god"".   Science isn't focusing on "god".  It is focusing on studying the world and universe.  :-)  Anyway....\n\nScientists tend to form different theories (not facts) from the same discovery.   It is fascinating to learn about the different theories and to decide which one likes better.   Scientists don't think alike at all.  They tend to see different things in the same objects.  :-)   There are usually heated debates and discussions among them!  ;-)\n\nFor me, I know of two different theories of how evolution might have processed:  macro evolution ("giant leaps") or micro-evolution.   I tend to take more stock in micro-evolution.  That means each generation is born with very tiny mutations that will eventually create or de-create whatever trait or physical attribute of the organism.   Macro-evolution happens when one generation is born with a completely different physical attribute that none of the species has.\n\nI hope I clarified.  I will keep an eye on this Q as I find this fascinating!  Thanks for sharing the link.  :-)
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Here is my evaluation based on logic\nArgument 1 Creation.\nPremise 1: true\nPremise 2: true\nPremise 3: true\nConclusion: logically flows from premises 1 to 3, so valid.\n\nArgument 2 Evolution.\nPremise 1: true\nPremise 2: true\nPremise 3: true if that site's proofs are true.\n\nConclusion: logically flows from premise 1 to 3 ( except you have to add the words: "and many are fascinated by evolution); so yes, your conclusion is Valid. \n\nBoy, you must be good in your logic class!
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We evolved from primates, but not monkeys specifically.  We did not evolve from birds although we do share a common ancestor with them a long ways back.  Although evolution has not been conclusively "proven" it is supported by a preponderance of evidence and accepted by the vast majority of the scientific community.  And hutsong's "evidence" against evolution is primarily fictitious.  Don't be fooled by his authoritative manner - he's still full of crap.\n\nFor a defense of evolution see my answer to this question:\nhttp://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AiUBrphbhCO3D7mQOX5JXrrsy6IX?qid=1006032117223\n\nAnd these links:\nhttp://www.txtwriter.com/backgrounders/Evolution/EVpage16.html\nhttp://evolution.berkeley.edu/evosite/lines/index.shtml\nhttp://fermat.nap.edu/html/creationism/evidence.html\n\nOr go to your local library and find an introductory biology book.
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Evolution is a scientific theory that explains the origin of the diversity of species (note that it does not, and is not intended to explain the origin of life). The basic idea of evolution is that mutations result in genetic diversity in a population, and consequently different traits, and different selective pressures favor certain traits over others. In a diverse population, some individuals are better suited to the environment than others, and the individuals that are better suited are more likely to survive to reproduce and thus pass their genes on to the next generation. Consequently, the next generation will have more of the "good" genes and fewer of the "bad" genes than the generation before it. Because the environment is constantly changing, the definition of "good" and "bad" genes is also constantly changing. Something that used to be an advantage can become a disadvantage, and vice versa. More often, however, neutral traits will become either good or bad. Changes in environment can include not only changes in weather or resources, but also competition from other species.\n\nAs the environmental pressures change, the population of organisms changes with it. Over time, the little changes start to add up, and eventually the population will be so different from the ancestral state that it will be considered a different species. The diversity of species results from splitting of populations. If a population is separated by some geographical or reproductive barrier, the two subpopulations will likely evolve in different ways, to become two separate species. Eventually the two species may be reunited, but they will no longer be able to interbreed. Instead, they will compete with each other, and likely diverge even more.\n\nAnd, for those who say that evolution does not occur:\n\nScience is not about finding a single piece of evidence to conclusively prove a theory. It's about constructing theories to fit the existing evidence and gathering new evidence that supports or refutes existing theories. Evolution is supported by a preponderance of evidence. While no one point conclusively proves it, when all the evidence is considered in the context of existing scientific knowledge evolution is a well substantiated theory. Intelligent design is not.  What follows are brief explanations of some of the evidence that supports the theory of evolution.\n\n1. Vestigial structures\n\nOne example of a vestigial structure in humans is the appendix. It has no function. Removing it is harmful only in so far as any surgery is associated with certain risks (so I wouldn't have it removed just for fun, but it's because of the surgery not the absence of the appendix). An appendix is found in several mammals. In humans it is small and has no known function. In rabbits and many other herbivores it is large and is used in the digestion of cellulose.\n\nAnother example of a vestigial structure is the hipbones of snakes. Snakes evolved from quadrupeds, and some species still retain not on pelvises, but tiny protrusions of bone in a location that corresponds to the location of the legs in other quadrupeds.\n\n2. Microevolution can be observed in both a controlled laboratory setting and in nature.\n\nCreationists will tell you that microevolution does not prove macroevolution.  This is true.  However, it does provide evidence that macroevolution may be possible. Taken in the context of the other evidence for evolution, microevolution provides a mechanism by which macroevolution could occur. On its own, it doesn't prove that macroevolution occurs, but it does suggest that it is possible.\n\n3. The fossil record.\n\nAlthough the fossil record does not provide a “complete” record as fossils form only under certain conditions, it does show a gradual change in the morphology of species as well as numerous extinct species.  There are a number of methods used to date fossils, and the time period from
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Technically, and scientifically it is a theory. Theory doesn't  mean that it isn't true though, it simply means it is the most widely accepted opinion of the scientific community until someone can come along with a better theory or disprove the theory.\n\n"God created Us" is not a scientifically accepted proof against the theory of evolution. This is because without evolution DNA mutation makes no sense, even though it is a well observed phenomena.\n\nFossils also would have no explanation.\n\nAnd as a teacher, it would be best to say that it is okay to not believe every theory, because many past theorems have been proved wrong, but that he or she should maybe look into evolution a little more before casting a judgement.
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Most hypothesis for evolutionary mechanisms are not opposed to basic darwinism, rather they're complementary, e.g. punctuated equilibrium.\nI'd say the neutral theory of evolution (by Kimura) is an alternative because it puts the accent on neutral mutations instead of natural selection.
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Every fossil, every observation in biology points to evolution. There is nothing that goes against it or points to a different way to scientifically explain modern diversity. There is not one fossil or one piece of DNA that does NOT point to evolution.\nCreation relies on a lot of belief and the ability to dismiss all the known evidence, since ancient Greece to the present time, in the case for evolution.\nEvolution, on the other hand, keeps presenting solid evidence, regardless of those who believe otherwise. \n\nHere is a theoretical example of natural selection and adaptation.\n\nSay you have an island, about twenty miles from any other island, where there is a species of bird, say finches. In any population of birds, there is going to be a variety of beak sizes and wing sizes, (like nose and ear size, and height variation in humans), suddenly there was a drought, lasting several years, and the main food source of the finches, say, sesame seed, was destroyed, and all they had to eat was wheat, which is harder to break and eat than sesame. \nWhat characteristics would give one bird an advantage over another? Those with smaller beaks would have more difficulty cracking the wheat and feeding it to any baby birds, therefore they would have less live young. Those with largeer, stronger beaks would crack and eat more wheat and have more live young. Chances are, that their offspring would have, on average, larger, stronger beaks than those of small beaked finches. The stronger your beak, the more you eat, the more children you have. \nSo what other characteristics? Those with stronger, larger wings could try to find other food, but if they can't make to the other island, they die, those that make it to the other island, and if it has food, will have, on average, larger wings than those that didn't make it. They wil have more children, who, on average, will have larger wings.\nThese are simplified examples, it is more complex than this, but the basics are there.\n\nAnother, real life example is the Peppered moth.\nHere is the Wikipedia link\nhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peppered_moth_evolution\n\nThis is evolution at work.\nRead more about evolution, but do it with an open mind. It wiil be of no use looking at evidence if you have already decided to reject it. Remember, you are doing science, at that is what scientist do. The more you read, the more you will understand. Try "Origin of Species " by Charles Darwin as a start, or try Google for a summary.\n\nGood luck to you.
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A good place to start is the talk origins site (http://www.talkorigins.org/ ) which puts together a lot of the stuff that originally appeared in the talk origins usenet group.  Most of it is focused on exploring the creationist/evolution controversy, and sometimes takes up a defensive stance when none is required, but generally gives a good overview and explanation of many central questions in evolution.\n\nThe site for the PBS television series 'Evolution' (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/evolution/ ) is also a very good site.  The related web activities for each episode's page give incredibly good basic information, and the Teacher's Guide section could easily form the backbone of an entire High School level course on evolution (not that any High School actually offers such a course).\n\nIf you can get a hold of the Evolution series itself, it also provides some excellent explanations of many of the concepts.  It may be available through your local library.\n\nAnd the University of Berkeley's Understanding Evolution website is also an excellent resource (http://evolution.berkeley.edu/ ).  \n\nThose three sites should keep you busy for the next few months.\n\nGood luck!
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Yes it's a theory. Science itself refutes Darwinism. Science is disproving evolution more every day. There is less evidence for evolution today than there was when Charles Darwin first came up with the theory. There are a lot of scientists that don't believe in evolution, and more are changing their beliefs all the time. Here is a partial list of creation scientists (past and present).\nhttp://www.christiananswers.net/q-eden/edn-scientists.html\nWith all the evidence against it I really don't see how any open minded intelligent human being could believe in evolution. With the lack of proof for evolution it takes more faith to believe in evolution than it does to believe in creation and intelligent design. There is a lot more evidence for intelligent design than there is for evolution.\n\n* The Cambrian Explosion\nNearly all animal phyla made their first appearance in the fossil record at essentially the same time, an interval of some 5 million years (about 525 to 530 million years ago) called the "Cambrian Explosion.\n\nScientists have found that these early fossils exhibit more anatomical body designs than exist today, and that early animals, the trilobites, had eyes as fully developed as their counterparts today.\n\nMany of the Cambrian fauna, still survive today, all looking much like they did over 500 million years ago. The prominent British evolutionist, Richard Dawkins, comments, "... We find many of them already in an advanced state of evolution, the very first time they appear. It is as though they were just planted there, without any evolutionary history.\n\nTwo places in the world that have an abundance of early (Cambrian) fossils; the Burgess Shale in the Canadian Rockies and the Chengjiang site in China.\n\nIn Stephen J. Gould's popular book, Wonderful Life, he points out that the Burgess Shale Cambrian fossils include "a range of disparity in anatomical design never again equaled, and not matched today by all the creatures in the world's oceans.\n\nFurther, these fossils contain some twenty to thirty kinds of arthropods*** that cannot be placed in any modern group. The modern arthropods, consisting of almost a million species, can all fit into four major groups. But "one quarry in British Columbia, representing the first explosion of multicellular life, reveals more than twenty additional arthropod designs." Today there are about 38 phyla in existence, but the Canadian, Chinese and other Cambrian sites reveal over fifty phyla.\n\nThere has been a decrease in diversity (probably due to global catastrophes). This is the reverse of what evolutionary theory predicts.\n\nBesides diversity, the Burgess Shale shows exquisite detail, right down to "the last filament of a trilobite's gill," or the last meal in a worm's gut.\n\nThe Chengjiang site has even greater detail, and is earlier. According to Paul Chien, the chairman of the biology department at the University of San Francisco, said the preservation is such that internal organs, nerves, and even the water ducts of jellyfish are observable.\n\nResearchers found striking similarities between the compound eyes of the Cambrian trilobites and those of modern insects. According to Riccardo Levi-Setti, "Trilobites could see in their immediate environment with amazingly sophisticated optical devices in the form of large composite eyes. ... The number of individual optical elements in the compound eye could vary from approximately one hundred to more than fifteen thousand in a single eye, a range not very different from that found in modern insects.\n\nThe conclusion is that the eye, a complex visual system, was fully formed and functional extremely early in the fossil record. Obviously, this is not predicted by evolutionary theory.\n\nUntil recently, the phylum of vertebrates had been considered a later arrival in evolutionary history. But not now! Even the vertebrate phylum now extends into the Cambrian pe
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I believe in creation, because I believe there is more scientific evidence to support it. The theory of evolution goes against all known science that we have accepted so far, such as the second law of thermodynamics. Try doing some open minded research on that one, it's pretty clear that evolution can't happen. Also, every evolutionist that I have ever talked to about evolution could not just sit down and discus their theory like true scientists. Instead, I have been called names such as "extremist" and "fundamentalist Christian" (I never meantioned religion or my beliefs, it was assumed), I have also been made fun of, and so on. But I have never been given the chance to really examen the theory. I really believe it's because there is not as much evidence as they say there is. I also believe there is a lot of evidence to support creation. I mean, come on, half of the evidence gathered for evolution could just as eaisly be interpreted to support creation, but that goes against mainstream science, so it is rejected. Trust me, I can't even begin to go into all the reasons I don't believe in evolution here, there are too many. But my suggestion to you is to do some research, and be open minded about it. If evolution has more evidence, go with it, and the same with creation. If God created the world, there will be evidence, we just need to find it. So do some research, there are a lot of good books and websites on the topic (watch out, there are a lot of really bad ones too that say nothing but lies on both sides). Two good ones are www.talkorigins.org (for evolution) and www.trueorigin.org (for creation, and some great responses to talkorigins.com). Good luck, and have fun:)
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Physical evidence? As in the sort of evidence that shows evolution is true (fossils, modern animal morphology, distribution of modern animals, DNA, etc.)\n\nNone.\n\nBut, if people want to believe in a god. Or two. Or several. They have that right. And the vast majority of people who do believe do not need the sort of scientific proof to be certain they are right.\n\n\n(And just a comment above, the world and life are very much NOT put together perfectly. Just for starters most of the DNA we have is not good for anything, only a small amount is for genes. This makes sense from the pov of evolution, but not from a instant creation. Unless god is sloppy.)
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What evidence might that be?
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I have a question for you. Have you EVER seriously looked at the evidence for either side? I doubt it, because there is evidence to support creationism. Plenty of it, you just have to look for it because it's not in the mainstream sciences. And there is quite a bit of evidence against evolution as well. Two good websites to look at are www.talkorigins.com and www.trueorigin.org. I think that's the website at least.
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Well, tell them that those structures have evolved several distinct times and distinct ways, including eyes nine times.  It sertainly is not direct proff of any kind of creation, and it is more supportive of common shared lineages.\n\nLook, god could make everyone 100 feet tall covered in purple pokadots, right?  It's god, it can do whatever it wants because it is magic or devine or whatever.\n\nTell them every fossil, every observation in biology points to evolution. There is nothing that goes against it or points to a different way to scientifically explain modern diversity. There is not one fossil or one piece of DNA that does NOT point to evolution. It would be hard NOT to see the concrete evidence, and only those blinded by faith can do this.\n\nEvolution is 100% world-wide accepted fact, including the evolution of man.\n\nThere is ZERO evidence for a higher being causing anything. This is why people who are religious need faith, you can't see or study the actions of a deity, by definition. Evolution has ZERO faith and ALL evidence.\n\nScientists (real ones) have been studying and supporting evolution for over 150 years, and still nothing has pointed to creationism. There is clear links and transitional forms between everything in the fossil record to the Class-Family level, if not Genus-Species level. And this includes humans, which there are several 'missing links' which are well described and studied, people just choose to ignore this. Sure, there are still things we don't know, but that's why science is not stagnent and dead. We learn more every day, that's what happens when you keep an open mind and follow the scientific method.\n\nThere are some areas of evolution in which all of the pieces have not been found in the fossil record, but there is no counter theory that has even ONE piece of evidence that can not easily be explained by evolution.\n\nLet me turn the question around, if Creationism was correct and science could definitively prove Creationism (and thus the existence of God), why would they not? That would be the greatest scientific discovery in the history of the world. No one would pass that up to maintain the 'status quo'. There is no conspiracy to hide creation evidence. Anyone who knows real scientists knows they are glory-mongers first. They love to prove others wrong to enhance their own standing. And if any scientist could prove Creation/God, it would've been done a long time ago.\n\nGo to a museum, take a class in biology, go to reputable sites on the Internet (like AAAS: http://www.aaas.org/news/press_room/evolution or http://www.talkorigins.org ) and find out for yourself.
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1. Evolution\n2. NC\n3. public