beaslbob
Well-Known Member
Quote:Originally Posted by GeriDoc http:///t/396331/private-schools-and-evolutionary-theory/160#post_3531644
OK, I suppose you would call me an "evolutionist", so here goes. Carbon dating is only useful to about 50,000 years ago, which is too short a time to date evolutionary events, which typically take longer to manifest themselves. The carbon dating thing is just a straw-man. And, just for the sake of good logic, it is actually impossible to prove the theory of evolution, only to disprove it, and nobody has done so. In the years since Darwin, as biological, chemical and geological sciences have progressed and subjected the predictions of Darwin's theory to ever advancing analysis, some of his ideas have not held up, and have been set aside as the theory has been refined and clarified, but the core observations and ideas remain. In particular, the time-frame is extensive (multi-millions of years), all life is derived from previously existing life through a process of diversification and adaptation produced by a variety of conditions (isolation, environmental challenge, etc.) Everything we have learned from the scientific examination of evolutionary processes is consistent with these ideas. Evolutionary theory has survived and developed not for lack of trying, but precisely because scientists have tried mightily to prove it false. Believe me, if I could disprove even one of the core ideas of evolution, I would, because in that direction lies fame, fortune and a preferred parking spot on campus!
And there we go. Right into the "creationist trap".
There are always "holes" in any scientific theory.
always inaccuracies in investigations.
that is part and parcle of science.
Which allows the religious person to bring up all these "proofs" that science is wrong.
All of which compeltely ignores the basic difference between science which assumes the universe is a great mass of stuff constantly changing from one thing to another. and has been here forever.
As opposed to a religious logic system which assumes there is something ultimate, which there is nothing beyond and all powerful which is capable of creating stuff.
Those two systems simply cannot be reconcilled in any logical way.
OK, I suppose you would call me an "evolutionist", so here goes. Carbon dating is only useful to about 50,000 years ago, which is too short a time to date evolutionary events, which typically take longer to manifest themselves. The carbon dating thing is just a straw-man. And, just for the sake of good logic, it is actually impossible to prove the theory of evolution, only to disprove it, and nobody has done so. In the years since Darwin, as biological, chemical and geological sciences have progressed and subjected the predictions of Darwin's theory to ever advancing analysis, some of his ideas have not held up, and have been set aside as the theory has been refined and clarified, but the core observations and ideas remain. In particular, the time-frame is extensive (multi-millions of years), all life is derived from previously existing life through a process of diversification and adaptation produced by a variety of conditions (isolation, environmental challenge, etc.) Everything we have learned from the scientific examination of evolutionary processes is consistent with these ideas. Evolutionary theory has survived and developed not for lack of trying, but precisely because scientists have tried mightily to prove it false. Believe me, if I could disprove even one of the core ideas of evolution, I would, because in that direction lies fame, fortune and a preferred parking spot on campus!
And there we go. Right into the "creationist trap".
There are always "holes" in any scientific theory.
always inaccuracies in investigations.
that is part and parcle of science.
Which allows the religious person to bring up all these "proofs" that science is wrong.
All of which compeltely ignores the basic difference between science which assumes the universe is a great mass of stuff constantly changing from one thing to another. and has been here forever.
As opposed to a religious logic system which assumes there is something ultimate, which there is nothing beyond and all powerful which is capable of creating stuff.
Those two systems simply cannot be reconcilled in any logical way.
