1. What is the difference between a fact and a theory? Does controversy over the mechanisms of evolution reduce the believability of facts? A fact is something that can be directly observed. A theory is a statement of the natural law(s) that have caused things that we can observe. Thus, change in the characteristics of species or the types of species on Earth is a fact-- we can observe this. The Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection provides a mechanism for this change-- natural selection acting on variation within species. (I will also teach you how to observe natural selection, that is, differential survival or reproduction of different phenotypes, which will show you that natural selection is a fact too). In my opinion, understanding the mechanism is not necessary for accepting an observation as fact. |
Many people have a problem with the fact of gravity every time they fall down. We can observe changes in a species. Such a change is the oft used one for class example of the English moth that changed from white to grey during the industrial revolution. A mountain of indirect evidence is available - any natural history museum has this.
Many facts challenge people's prejudices and a person will have problem with that. The fact that the Earth was round caused many problems, too.
""In my opinion, understanding the mechanism is not necessary for accepting an observation as fact."
Do you understand the mechanism of gravity? Could you give a discourse on the interactions of small particles, such as gluons, and the weak and strong atomic forces to illustrate the mechanism of gravity? Most introductory physics teachers probably couldn't.
For many years, we did not understand the mechanism of sight and we still have much to learn, but the observation that sight occurs is a fact.
What specifically is wrong with the highlighted statements. One says that change has been observed. this is a fact. The other statement starsts out with "In my opinion..."
something wrong with a teacher expressing a clearly labeled opinion?
It might help if you could explain exactly what about them you think is a "problem".
Unless you are a clone, you are different from your parents.