Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

To: mountainlion
mountainlion: "These people come to a conclusion and call it a scientific fact.
It is still a conclusion and theory.
There are many theories and conclusions."

In scientific terms, a "fact" is a confirmed observation, while a "theory" is a confirmed hypothesis = explanation.
So, for examples, fossils and DNA are facts, while evolution and out-of-Africa are theories.

Barring some error in measurements, you don't expect facts to ever change, but theories can and often do change as new facts become known.

In this particular example, the new fact is DNA retrieved from very ancient bone, but everything explaining what it all means is based on theory -- i.e., radiometric dating, evolution, ancient pre-human migrations & interbreeding.
The new facts tend to confirm "out of Africa" theories, while providing possible dates for human-Neanderthal interbreeding.

But if you were hoping to find metaphysical or religious certainty in such science theories, then your expectations were highly unrealistic.

47 posted on 10/27/2014 10:19:04 AM PDT by BroJoeK (a little historical perspective)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies ]


To: BroJoeK

I agree except that “possible dates for human-Neanderthal interbreeding” is theory and not facts. There are conflicting theories as to whether Neanderthal and modern humans were coexistent. More data and DNA information are needed. DNA information could then be examined by statistics to determine if interbreeding actually took place.


49 posted on 10/27/2014 11:24:00 AM PDT by mountainlion (Live well for those that did not make it back.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 47 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson