Freethought & Rationalism Archive

animus · 11-28-2004, 07:32 PM

We've all heard Creationists claim that evolution is only a theory. The basic problem, of course, is that they have no real idea what the word 'theory' means in science. No matter how many times we try to explain it, they still think it's a "guess" or "shot in the dark"

So, why do we keep calling it a theory?

Isn't there another word in the English language that might fit better? A word which could help get past the misunderstanding? I'm not talking about wrapping up junk in a pretty new ribbon (like Creationism becoming "Intelligent Design"). It's still evolution, but attached to a word which causes less confusion and could be applied to other "theories" as well.

The _________ of Evolution

Any ideas?

Nice Squirrel · 11-28-2004, 07:45 PM

fact

Schneibster · 11-28-2004, 08:28 PM

Law

Baloo · 11-28-2004, 08:44 PM

Yeah - and let's work on that ________ of Relativity. Or the germ _______ of disease. Or the atomic _______ of matter. Or the heliocentric ________ of the solar system, or ... well, you get the picture.

The problem is that we call it the Theory of Evolution because "Theory" exactly dexcribes what it is: a solid scientific theory. Now, if only there was an easy way to educate people on what a scientific theory is....

Occams_Razor · 11-28-2004, 09:23 PM

I still like theory:

1. A set of statements or principles devised to explain a group of facts or phenomena, especially one that has been repeatedly tested or is widely accepted and can be used to make predictions about natural phenomena.

Besides changing the wording won't do crap. Remember, these are people that argue that evolution can't be true because we never see a chimpanzee giving birth to a human.

Oh wait--here's a few quotes you might enjoy:

Quote:

Originally Posted by LN

"i dont know...evolution could be true...it wouldnt necesarily go against my beliefs. i mean, the events in genisis are almost in the same order as the events in evolution...and we dont know how long a week was in the beggining of time."

http://www.modernatheist.com/phpbb2/...r=asc&start=30

Oh and this one by the same user is priceless:

Capurconis*sp* was being unscientific when he said the Sun was the Center of the universe not the Earth, Scientic and Unscientifc are only measured in current belife

the current belife is Evolution, thus creation is unscinetifc

Darwanism used to be "scientific" but it has been proven faluty now its "unsceitnif" yet its still evolution

Thus only with the slow decay of man for we all know the age of phliosphy is over, all shall perish to hypothesis, For evolution isn't a theory because there is no test

we have never tried to evolve a fish

a monkey

we havenever seen it"

http://www.modernatheist.com/phpbb2/...=asc&start=105

RBH · 11-28-2004, 09:28 PM

I was going to suggest "mojo," but this thread turned serious again.

RBH

lisarea · 11-28-2004, 09:59 PM

I think it's time to take the word back. I've been mightily baffled by this confusion myself.

Are they not even teaching scientific method in the schools anymore?

Parents should be complaining about disclaimers in textbooks that say that evolution is 'just a theory,' and teachers should be demanding that their students are familiar enough with the fundamental concepts of scientific method that they would never dream of raising their hand and asking why the teachers are presenting theory as facts. Any kid who does that beyond--I dunno--fourth grade probably needs to flunk and try again.

Law has a kind of squishy definition, doesn't it? It's a theory that's been around for a while, no?

I do like mojo, though. Or maybe juju.

_Naturalist_ · 11-28-2004, 10:43 PM

Theory is a good word. I suspect that if the scientific community decides to change the word, then creationists will point out how science is trying shady tactics to further their evil atheist naturalist liberal agenda or something like that. Among scientists, it could be seen as giving in to the creationists, and that this would show how much power they have over proper science. At the same time though, they can't be ignored.

Inconnu · 11-29-2004, 06:22 AM

The very good Theory of Evolution

Haener · 11-29-2004, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stargazing

Theory is a good word. I suspect that if the scientific community decides to change the word, then creationists will point out how science is trying shady tactics to further their evil atheist naturalist liberal agenda or something like that.

Second that. Creationist's misunderstanding or abuse of the concept of a scientific theory is really besides the point. They only do so, not to attack the concept of theory but the concept of evolution. If we would refer to it by any other name they would just focus on that term. This is just the way it is. The only thing we can do is continue to explain to the public what a scientific theory actually is.

11-28-2004, 07:32 PM	#1
animus Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: State College, PA Posts: 812	It's not just a theory anymore... We've all heard Creationists claim that evolution is only a theory. The basic problem, of course, is that they have no real idea what the word 'theory' means in science. No matter how many times we try to explain it, they still think it's a "guess" or "shot in the dark" So, why do we keep calling it a theory? Isn't there another word in the English language that might fit better? A word which could help get past the misunderstanding? I'm not talking about wrapping up junk in a pretty new ribbon (like Creationism becoming "Intelligent Design"). It's still evolution, but attached to a word which causes less confusion and could be applied to other "theories" as well. The _________ of Evolution Any ideas?

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

11-28-2004, 07:45 PM	#2
Nice Squirrel Contributor Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Death Panel District 9 Posts: 20,921	fact

11-28-2004, 08:28 PM	#3
Schneibster Banned Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Monterey Posts: 7,099	Law

11-28-2004, 08:44 PM	#4
Baloo Regular Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 417	Yeah - and let's work on that ________ of Relativity. Or the germ _______ of disease. Or the atomic _______ of matter. Or the heliocentric ________ of the solar system, or ... well, you get the picture. The problem is that we call it the Theory of Evolution because "Theory" exactly dexcribes what it is: a solid scientific theory. Now, if only there was an easy way to educate people on what a scientific theory is....

11-28-2004, 09:28 PM	#6
RBH Contributor Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Ohio Posts: 15,407	I was going to suggest "mojo," but this thread turned serious again. RBH

11-28-2004, 09:59 PM	#7
lisarea Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Broomfield, Colorado, USA Posts: 5,550	I think it's time to take the word back. I've been mightily baffled by this confusion myself. Are they not even teaching scientific method in the schools anymore? Parents should be complaining about disclaimers in textbooks that say that evolution is 'just a theory,' and teachers should be demanding that their students are familiar enough with the fundamental concepts of scientific method that they would never dream of raising their hand and asking why the teachers are presenting theory as facts. Any kid who does that beyond--I dunno--fourth grade probably needs to flunk and try again. Law has a kind of squishy definition, doesn't it? It's a theory that's been around for a while, no? I do like mojo, though. Or maybe juju.

11-28-2004, 10:43 PM	#8
_Naturalist_ Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Sweden Posts: 5,914	Theory is a good word. I suspect that if the scientific community decides to change the word, then creationists will point out how science is trying shady tactics to further their evil atheist naturalist liberal agenda or something like that. Among scientists, it could be seen as giving in to the creationists, and that this would show how much power they have over proper science. At the same time though, they can't be ignored.

11-29-2004, 06:22 AM	#9
Inconnu Regular Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: here Posts: 121	The very good Theory of Evolution

Freethought & Rationalism Archive

The archives are read only.