Evolution and Science

Evolution and Science is the umbrella category for articles exploring the scientific findings and challenges facing the theory of evolution.

Evolution is widely regarded as the leading natural explanation for the origin of life and the diversity of life forms. However, the theory remains highly controversial and variable, even among evolution scientists.

Varying perceptions underscore why current understandings of evolution are based on speculation, not scientific validation. For example, NASA introduced the idea that life is a “chemical system” –

“Life is a self-sustaining chemical system capable of Darwinian evolution.”

However, what scientific evidence supports the concept that life is simply a chemical system capable of evolving? Answer: none. While chemical systems are necessary, life is more than changing reproductive chemical systems.

Articles in Evolution and Science examine published findings to explore whether the evidence scientifically supports Charles Darwin’s theory of natural selection.

Evolution

In the broadest sense, evolution is a natural explanation for the continuous changes observed in Earth’s biosphere and geosphere over time.

Biology studies Earth’s biosphere, while geology studies Earth’s geosphere. Evolution biologists study how species change through natural selection-driven adaptations and how new species emerge to diversify Earth’s biosphere.

Microevolution and Macroevolution

More precisely, there are two basic types of evolution: microevolution and macroevolution. Microevolution is synonymous with adaptation within a species; macroevolution is forming new species.

Both types of evolution are driven by the accumulation of adaptations through natural selection. Although neither term appears in his writings, Darwin presumed macroevolution to emerge by extending the adaptive processes of microevolution.

However, Darwin argued for macroevolution by using the phrase – “The Origin of Species.” Macroevolution continues to be the revolutionary and controversial component of Darwin’s theory.

Biological Hierarchies

As in geology and astronomy, Earth’s biosphere is driven by a hierarchy of interconnected biological systems. Therefore, searching for scientific evidence of evolution requires unifying evidence from these systems.

These include anatomy and morphology, behavior, embryology, molecular biology, and physiology. While most of the evidence is found in the fossil record, many are observed in controlled studies.

Extinction and Speciation along with the Origin of Life studies are the two other parallel subcategories within Evolution and Science.

Science

Science is the second component in our Evolution and Science section. While theories, like evolution, are theoretical, science’s role is testing their validity. Science distinguishes fact from fiction.

Science is the process that uses objective observations, logic, and specific methods of inquiry to understand the mysteries governing our universe.

Like other scientists, biologists apply scientific methods to make observations, pose questions, generate hypotheses, perform experiments, and form conclusions, including falsification testing.

Darwin’s Approach

Darwin understood the importance of scientific methods. The preface of The Origin of Species includes a quote from Francis Bacon, the founder of the Scientific Method and noted in his Autobiography

“I worked on true Baconian principles.”

Evidence of “slight modifications” is Darwin’s proposed falsification test of natural selection –

“If it could be demonstrated that any complex organ exists which could not possibly have been formed by numerous, successive, slight modiﬁcations, my theory would absolutely break down.”

Darwin’s Falsification Test

Modern studies focus on connecting these successive changes from a common ancestor. In The Origin of Species, Darwin proposed the following falsification test to in the future validate his theory –

“By the theory of natural selection, all living species have been connected… So that the number of intermediate and transitional links… must have been inconceivably great. But assuredly, if this theory be true, such have lived upon the Earth.”

By applying Darwin’s falsification method, if “inconceivably great” numbers of transitional links are not found, the theory cannot be “true.”

Therefore, for Darwin’s theory of evolution to be scientifically valid, evidence of “innumerable” transitional links must exist on all levels of biology for all life forms.

Testing Evolution Explanations

Science is the only known method to test the accuracy of explanations proposed to define the laws of nature – like natural selection and evolution.

Science tests the validity of any theory by using observable and measurable evidence. Since evolutionary transitions must exist on all levels of biology to scientifically validate the theory of evolution, all levels must be studied.

These include the following branches of biology –

These articles in each biological branch describe how the scientific evidence challenges modern understandings of evolution.

Evolution and Science is a subcategory of Understanding Evolution.

Darwin Then and Now is an educational resource on the intersection of evolution and science and the challenges facing the theory of evolution.

Move On

Explore how to understand twenty-first-century concepts of evolution further using the following links –

- The Understanding Evolution category showcases how varying historical study approaches to evolution have led to varying conclusions. Subcategories include –
  - Studying Evolution explains how key evolution terms and concepts have changed since the 1958 publication of The Origin of Species.
  - What is Science explains Charles Darwin’s approach to science and how modern science approaches can be applied for different investigative purposes.
  - Evolution and Science (current category) feature study articles on how scientific evidence influences the current understanding of evolution.
  - Theory and Consensus feature articles on the historical timelines of the theory, Natural Selection, and the importance of Investigating Evolution.
- The Biography of Charles Darwin category showcases relevant aspects of his life.
- The Glossary defines terms used in studying the theory of biological evolution.