Tribune7: "Evolution" is the noun. A noun is a word used to name a person, animal, place, thing, and abstract idea
"the sequence of events by which the world came to be as we see it today" is an adjective clause. This is a clause which acts as an adjective. An adjective modifies a noun or a pronoun by describing, identifying, or quantifying words
If what you say is true, the the "sequence of events" phrase could be used in the same way as an adjective. For example in the phrase "biological evolution," "biological" is the adjective modifying "evolution," the noun. The statement in question is not structured like that. The "squence of events" phrase is equivallent to the word "evolution," not dependent on it.
Now don't you think you've tortured the English language enough for now?
It is.
the the "sequence of events" phrase could be used in the same way as an adjective.
Well, yes.
For example in the phrase "biological evolution," "biological" is the adjective modifying "evolution," the noun.
Right
The statement in question is not structured like that.
Are you saying that adjectives never follow a noun or are you saying that adjective clauses don't exist?
The "squence of events" phrase is equivallent to the word "evolution," not dependent on it.
"Evolution is the central organizing principle of the historical sciences -- biology, geology, and cosmology." That's a good sentence. It makes sense. It's pretty clear it says what it's author means it to say.
"The sequence of events by which the world came to be as we see it today, is the central organizing principle of the historical sciences -- biology, geology, and cosmology." That's what one would use on a paper if one wished to sound smart but didn't want anyone to understand what he meant.