Ohio's Critical Analysis of Evolution

Critical Evaluation of Evolution ^ | March 2004 | Ohio State Board of Education

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Critical Analysis of Evolution – Grade 10 

 

Life Sciences

 

Benchmark H

Describe a foundation of biological evolution as the change in gene frequency of a population over time. Explain the historical and current scientific developments, mechanisms and processes of biological evolution. Describe how scientists continue to investigate and critically analyze aspects of evolutionary theory. (The intent of this benchmark does not mandate the teaching or testing of intelligent design.)

 

Indicator 23

Describe how scientists continue to investigate and critically analyze aspects of evolutionary theory. (The intent of this indicator does not mandate the teaching or testing of intelligent design.)

 

Scientific Ways of Knowing

 

Benchmark A

Explain that scientific knowledge must be based on evidence, be predictive, logical, subject to modification and limited to the natural world.

 

Indicator 2

Describe that scientists may disagree about explanations of phenomena, about interpretation of data or about the value of rival theories, but they do agree that questioning, response to criticism and open communication are integral to the process of science.

 

Indicator 3

Recognize that science is a systematic method of continuing investigation, based on observation, hypothesis testing, measurement, experimentation, and theory building, which leads to more adequate explanations of natural phenomena.

 

Lesson Summary:

 

This lesson allows students to critically analyze five different aspects of evolutionary theory. As new scientific data emerge, scientists’ understandings of the natural world may become enhanced, modified or even changed all together. Using library and Internet sources, groups of students will conduct background research for one of the aspects of evolution in preparation for a critical analysis discussion. Students also will listen to, and take notes on, their classmates' critical analyses of evolution theory.

 

Estimated Duration: Four to six hours

 

Commentary:

 

This lesson should be used midway or toward the end of a unit on evolution. This will allow students to “carry over” their knowledge of basic evolutionary concepts into this lesson. The strength of this lesson lies in having students research topics that interest them about evolutionary biology. Students are encouraged to consider the research and discuss their findings with fellow students.

 

Pre-Assessment:

 

·        The following items can be used to stimulate dialogue with the students.

·        Instruct students to copy the following items from the chalkboard in their science lab notebook.

1.      Describe anomalies and explain why they exist.

2.      Are there any benefits to exploring scientific anomalies?

3.      How do scientists make and test predictions?

4.      How do scientists critically analyze conflicting data?

5.      Define the following terms in your own words:

§         Theory

§         Critical analysis

§         Natural selection

§         Biological evolution

§         Macroevolution

§         Microevolution

·        Direct students to respond to the questions in their science notebook in as much detail as possible leaving space to record information from the ensuing dialogue to add to their notes.

 

Scoring Guidelines:

 

Collect pre-assessments and evaluate for indication of prior knowledge and/or misconception. Sample definitions for question five in the pre-assessment include, but are not limited to, the following:

·        Theory
A supposition or a system of ideas intended to explain something, especially one based on general principles independent of the thing to be explained.

·        Critical analysis
The separation of an intellectual idea into its constituent parts for the purpose of a careful, exact evaluation and judgment about those parts and their interrelationships in making up a whole. (This definition combines the definition for critical and analysis.)

·        Natural selection
The principle that in a given environment, individuals having characteristics that aid survival will produce more offspring, and the proportion of individuals having such characteristics will increase with each succeeding generation.

·        Biological evolution
Changes in the genetic composition of a population through successive generations.

·        Macroevolution
Large-scale evolution occurring over geologic time that results in the formation of new taxonomic groups.

·        Microevolution
Evolution resulting from a succession of relatively small genetic variations that often cause the formation of new subspecies.

 

Post-Assessment:

 

• Describe why scientific critical analysis of evolution is important.
• Describe one major pieces of evidence used to support evolution and explain why it is important.
• Describe one piece of evidence used to challenge evolution and explain why it is important.
• Compare and contrast the supporting and challenging information regarding the aspect of evolution you studied.
• Evaluate the scientific data supporting and challenging areas of evolution in light of the scientific method. In other words, is the data that is used to support or challenge evolution consistent or inconsistent with the scientific method? Are there any limitations? (NOTE: steps of scientific method: Observation, hypothesis, test, retest and conclusion)

 

Instructional Procedures:

Instructional Tip:

Scientists make a distinction between two areas of evolutionary theory. First, scientists consider mutation, natural selection, genetic drift and gene flow (immigration and emigration) as the processes that generate evolutionary changes in organisms and populations. Second, the theory of universal common descent describes the historical pattern of biological change. This theory maintains that all living forms have descended from earlier living forms and ultimately from a single common ancestor. Darwin envisioned the theory of universal common descent as a necessary result of evolutionary changes in organisms and populations, and represented it in his branching tree of life. Students will investigate and analyze these two areas of evolutionary theory in this lesson.

 

In addition to the distinctions between different areas of evolutionary theory, scientists also find it helpful to distinguish amounts of biological change or evolution. Microevolution refers to evolution resulting from a succession of relatively small genetic variations that often cause the formation of new subspecies. Macroevolution refers to large-scale evolution occurring over geologic time that results in the formation of new taxonomic groups. These terms are helpful distinctions in the course of analyzing evolutionary theory. These terms have appeared in OhioLink research databases, numerous Internet sites, and biology and evolution textbooks. Though “micro” and “macro” are prefixes, it is quite clear that the scientific community recognizes and acknowledges the distinction between the words. To help ensure academic clarity, this lesson distinguishes between microevolution and macroevolution. Teachers may need to provide support to students to help them understand this distinction throughout the lesson.

 

Student Engagement

 

1. Write the following statement on the chalkboard or overhead:
   Anomalies are observations in science that depart from the general consensus of the time. Many anomalies occur in science. Scientists create hypotheses to explain these anomalies and then carry out experiments to try to disprove their hypotheses. Disproven hypotheses are rejected and those that are not disproven are subjected to further testing.
2. Ask students to think through the following science topics and discuss where anomalies led to the collection of data that further explained the phenomena and contributed to changing scientific understandings.

·        Spontaneous generation versus biogenesis
Several pieces of data could be used. One example is Francesco Redi’s observation that flies must contact meat in order for maggots to appear on the meat.

·        Geocentric versus Heliocentric
Several pieces of data could be used. One example is the observed phases of Venus.

3. Ask students to cite additional areas where critical analysis is needed by the scientific community.

 

Teacher Presentation

4. Present supporting and challenging information for five aspects of evolution found in Attachment A. This will give students background information concerning both supporting and challenging evidence. Students can use this information to focus their research.

 

Instructional Tip:

Alternative strategies for beginning this lesson could be to engage students in a Socratic discussion or a mini-lecture. See the Web site for student research at the Los Alamos National Laboratory for guidelines on the Socratic method. The Web address is listed in the Technology Connections section.

 

Student Research

5. Form groups consisting of two to four students. Assign each group a number to help monitor their activities and assignments during the lesson.
6. Allow the groups to pick (or assign) one of the five aspects of evolutionary theory. Assign two groups to research each aspect. The aspects are:

Aspect 1: Homology (anatomical and molecular)

Aspect 2: Fossil Record

Aspect 3: Anti-Biotic Resistance

Aspect 4: Peppered Moths

Aspect 5: Endosymbiosis

 

7. Distribute Attachment B, Investigative Worksheet, to help guide research. Allow time for the two groups assigned the same aspect to research their topic by answering questions on the Investigative Worksheet. Have groups use the worksheet as a guide to help them research supporting and challenging data on their particular aspect of evolution. The worksheet will help students organize their ideas and facilitate their critical analysis.

 

Instructional Tip:

Attachment B, Investigative Worksheet, has questions that can be applied to all five aspects. This will help students become familiar with the data, and therefore be able to critically analyze the evidence for either the supporting side or the challenging side. As they complete the worksheet, the group members may all work together on each question, or divide the questions among themselves and then share their findings as a group.

 

8. After the groups have completed their research, collect the Investigative Worksheets and review them. Return the worksheet to them prior to the next step of the instructional procedures; the critical analysis activity. The Investigative Worksheet is a formative assessment which will enable the teacher to check the student work and if necessary, assist in any way to help ensure student success on his or her critical analysis activity.

Critical Analysis Activity

9. Allow the students to spend time researching and preparing for the critical analysis activity on both the supporting and challenging information. Prior to the activity, randomly determine which of the two groups will present supporting information and which will present challenging information. You may have groups draw cards to help objectively determine if they will research the supporting or challenging information.

 

Instructional Tip:

Encourage all students to participate in the critical analysis activity because the experience will be a learning opportunity. Be prepared, however, to distribute alternate assignments to students who do not want to participate.

 

10. Hand out Attachment C, Critical Analysis Rubric, to help students understand the materials they need to prepare and how they should conduct their presentations.
11. Ask each group to write out their introduction, outline their presentations and write their conclusions. Have students practice their presentations to be sure that they are concise.
12. Have two pairs of students address each aspect. Have one group present the data that support an aspect and the other group present the data that challenge the aspect. Flip a coin to decide which group begins the critical analysis activity. Instruct each side to present its research. The teacher will serve as facilitator to assure that the groups remain on task and on time. There are no winners or losers in this critical analysis activity. This is a sharing of the results of their research concerning evolution.
13. Encourage students to actively participate as they critically analyze their assigned aspect. To ensure that they remain engaged as they watch and listen to the other groups, distribute copies of Attachment D, Critical Analysis Worksheet, and have them take notes. At the conclusion of the lesson, this worksheet will be turned in for a grade.  
14. Use Attachment C, Critical Analysis Rubric, to evaluate each group's presentation.
15. Proceed to the post-assessment to evaluate students' understanding.

 

Differentiated Instructional Support:

Instruction is differentiated according to learner needs, to help all learners either meet the intent of the specified indicator(s) or, if the indicator is already met, to advance beyond the specified indicator(s).

• Make a copy of the post-assessment available to all students at the beginning of the lesson. This will allow students to clearly understand what is expected from them.
• Have students submit an outline of their presentation, including introductory remarks and conclusion, to assist in their organizational skills. This allows the teacher to give feedback to the students and to help prepare them for the critical analysis activity.

 

 

Extension:

Have students consider other aspects of evolutionary biology that are critically analyzed by scientists. Possible topics include:

• Hox (homeotic) genes
• Biogeography
• Vestigial organs
• Four winged fruit fly
• Galapagos finches

 

 

 

Interdisciplinary Connections:
Social Studies Skills and Methods Standard
Benchmark A	Evaluate the reliability and credibility of sources.
Indicator 1	Determine the credibility of sources by considering the following: a.       The qualifications and reputation of the writer; b.      Agreement with other credible sources; c.       Recognition of stereotypes; d.      Accuracy and consistency of sources; e.       The circumstances in which the author prepared the source.
English Language Arts Research Standard
Benchmark B	Evaluate the usefulness and credibility of data and sources.
Indicator 3	Determine the accuracy of sources and the credibility of the author by analyzing the sources’ validity (e.g., authority, accuracy, objectivity, publication date and coverage, etc.).
Benchmark C	Organize information from various resources and select appropriate sources to support central ideas, concepts and themes.
Indicator 2	Identify appropriate sources and gather relevant information from multiple sources (e.g., school library catalogs, online databases, electronic resources and Internet-based resources).
Indicator 4	Evaluate and systematically organize important information, and select appropriate sources to support central ideas, concepts and themes.

 

 

Materials and Resources:

The inclusion of a specific resource in any lesson formulated by the Ohio Department of Education should not be interpreted as an endorsement of that particular resource, or any of its contents, by the Ohio Department of Education. The Ohio Department of Education does not endorse any particular resource. The Web addresses listed are for a given site’s main page, therefore, it may be necessary to search within that site to find the specific information required for a given lesson. Please note that information published on the Internet changes over time, therefore the links provided may no longer contain the specific information related to a given lesson. Teachers are advised to preview all sites before using them with students.

 

For the teacher: attachments, resource materials such as the Internet, World Wide Web, library resources

For the student: attachments, resource materials such as the Internet, World Wide Web, library resources

 

Vocabulary:

• Biological evolution
• Critical analysis
• Evolutionary theory
• Macroevolution
• Natural select ion
• Theory

 

 

Technology Connections:

• Access the Web site for student research at the Los Alamos National Laboratory, at http://set.lanl.gov, for guidelines to the Socratic Method. From the homepage, navigate to Programs, and then Critical Issues Forum.

 

Research Connections:

Marzano, R. et al. Classroom Instruction that Works: Research-Based Strategies for Increasing Student Achievement. Alexandria: Associat ion for Supervision and Curriculum Development, 2001.

 

• Identifying similarities and differences enhances students’ understanding of and ability to use knowledge. This process includes comparing, classifying, creating metaphors and creating analogies and may involve the following:
  • Presenting students with explicit guidance in identifying similarities and differences.
  • Asking students to independently identify similarities and differences.
  • Representing similarities and differences in graphic or symbolic form.
• Summarizing and note taking are two of the most powerful skills to help students identify and understand the most important aspects of what they are learning.

 

General Tips:

• Students should use school library resources such as InfOhio's Access Science to locate information on aspects of evolutionary theory.
• See the following resources for information that supports or challenges different aspects of evolution.

 

 

1.      Ayala, Francisco, "The Mechanisms of Evolution." Scientific American, 239:3 (1978): 56-69.

2. Brickhouse, Nancy. "Diversity of Students’ Views about Evidence, Theory." Journal of Research in Science Teaching. 37:4 (2000).
3. Carroll, Robert L. (1997/98). “Limits to Knowledge of the Fossil Record”. Zoology. 100 (1997/98): 221-231.
4. Carroll, Robert L. “Towards a New Evolutionary Synthesis.” Trends in Ecology and Evolution 15 (2000): 27-32.
5. Cherfas, J. "Exploring the Myth of the Melanic Moth." New Scientist. (1986): 25.
6. Chinn, Clark. "An Empirical Test of a Taxonomy of Responses to Anomalous Data in Science." Journal of Research in Science Teaching. 35:6 (1998).
7. Chinn, Clark. "The Role of Anomalous Data in Knowledge Acquisition: A Theoretical Framework and Implications for Science Instruction." Review of Educational Research. 63:1 (1993): 1-49.
8. Darwin, Charles. On the Origin of Species: A Facsimile of the First Edition. Cambridge: Harvard UP, 1975.
9. Denton, Michael. Evolution: A Theory in Crisis. Bethesda: Adler and Adler, 1986.
10. Doolittle, W. Ford “Uprooting the Tree of Life,” Scientific American, 282 (2000): 90-95.
11. Erwin, Douglas. “Macroevolution is More Than Repeated Rounds of Microevolution,” Evolution & Development 2 (2000): 78-84.
12. Erwin, Douglas. “Early Introduction of Major Morphological Innovations,” Acta Palaeontologica Polonica 38 (1994): 281-294.
13. Evans, Margaret E. "The Emergence of Beliefs About the Origins of Species in School-Age Children." Merrill-Palmer Quarterly. 46:2 (2000): 221-253.
14. Faust, David. The Limits of Scientific Reasoning. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 1984.
15. Fitch, W., and E. Margoliash, "Construction of Phylogenetic Trees." Science 155 (1967): 281.
16. Gilbert, Scott F., et al. “Resynthesizing Evolutionary and Developmental Biology,” Journal of Developmental Biology 173 (1996): 357-372.
17. Jeffares, D. “Relics from the RNA World.” Journal of Molecular Evolution 46 (1998): 18-36.
18. Lee, Michael. “Molecular Phylogenies become Functional” Trends in Ecology and Evolution. 14 (1999): 177-178.
19. Levinton, Jeffrey S. “The Big Bang of Animal Evolution.” Scientific American 267 (1992): 84-91.
20. Lewin, Roger. "Evolutionary Theory Under Fire." Science. 210 (1980): 883.
21. Mahoney, Michael. "Publication Prejudices: an Experimental Study of Confirmatory Bias in the Peer Review System." Cognitive Therapy and Research. 1:2 (1977): 161-175.
22. Margoulis, L., and D. Sagan. "Bacterial Bedfellows." Natural History 96 (1987): 26-33.
23. Martin W., and M. Muller. "The Hydrogen Hypothesis for the First Eukaryote." Nature 392 (1998): 37-41.
24. Mikkola, K. "On the Selective Forces Acting in the Industrial Melanism of Biston oligia Moths." Biological Journal of the Linnean Society 21 (1984): 409-421.
25. Mynatt, Clifford. "Confirmation Bias in a Simulated Research Environment: An Experimental Study of Scientific Inference." Quarterly Journal of ExperimentalPsychology. 29 (1977): 85-95.
26. National Academy of Science. Teaching About Evolution and the Nature of Science. Washington: National Academy Press, 1998.
27. National Academy of Science. National Science Education Standards. Washington, National Academy Press, 1996.
28. Pennisi, E. “Direct descendants from an RNA world.” Science 280 (1998): 673.
29. Philippe, Herve, and Patrick Forterre. “The Rooting of the Universal Tree of Life is Not Reliable.” Journal of Molecular Evolution 49 (1999): 509-523.
30. Plous, Scott. The Psychology of Judgment and Decision Making. New York: McGraw Hill, 1993.
31. Samarapungavan, Ala. "Children’s judgment in theory choice tasks: Scientific rationality in childhood. Cognition. 45 (1992): 1-32.
32. Shubin, Neil H. and Charles R. Marshall. “Fossils, Genes, and the Origin of Novelty.” Deep Time (2000): 324-340.
33. Smith, John M., and Eörs Szathmáry. The Major Transitions in Evolution. Oxford: Oxford UP, 1995.
34. Smith, Mike U. "Counterpoint: Belief, Understanding, and Teaching of Evolution." Journal of Research in Science Teaching. 3:5 (1994): 591-597.
35. Thagard, Paul. Mind, Society, and the Growth of Knowledge. Philosophy of Science. (1994): 61.
36. Thomson , Keith S. “Macroevolution: The Morphological Problem,” American Zoologist 32 (1992): 106-112.
37. Thomson, Keith S. "Marginalia: The Meanings of Evolution.” American Scientist. 70. (1982): 529-531.

 

Attachments:

Attachment A, Five Aspects of Evolution

Attachment B, Investigative Worksheet

 

Attachment A

Five Aspects of Evolution

 

Aspect 1: Homology

Citations in the General Tips Section may provide a starting point for student research. It is suggested that students employ additional resources in their research.

 

Brief Supporting Sample Answer: Different animals have very similar anatomical and genetic structures. This suggests that these animals share a common ancestor from which they inherited the genes to build these anatomical structures. Evolutionary biologists call similarities that are due to common ancestry “homologies.” For example, the genes that produce hemoglobin molecules (an oxygen carrying protein) in chimps and humans are at least 98% identical in sequence. As another example, bats, humans, horses, porpoises and moles all share a forelimb that has the same pattern of bone structure and organization. The hemoglobin molecule and the “pentadactyl limb” provide evidence for common ancestors. Also, the genetic code is universal, suggesting that a common ancestor is the source.

 

Brief Challenging Sample Answer: Some scientists think similarities in anatomical and genetic structure reflect similar functional needs in different animals, not common ancestry. The nucleotide sequence of hemoglobin DNA is very similar between chimps and humans, but this may be because they provide the same function for both animals. Also, if similar anatomical structures really are the result of a shared evolutionary ancestry, then similar anatomical structures should be produced by related genes and patterns of embryological development. However, sometimes, similar anatomical structures in different animals are built from different genes and by different pathways of embryological development. Scientists can use these different anatomical structures and genes to build versions of Darwin family trees that will not match each other. This shows that diverse forms of life may have different ancestry.

 

Aspect 2: Fossil Record

Citations in the General Tips Section may provide a starting point for student research. It is suggested that students employ additional resources in their research. 

 

Brief Supporting Sample Answer: The fossil record shows an increase in the complexity of living forms from simple one-celled organisms, to the first simple plants and animals, to the diverse and complex organisms that live on Earth today. This pattern suggests that later forms evolved from earlier simple forms over long periods of geological time. Macroevolution is the large-scale evolution occurring over geologic time that results in the formation of new taxonomic groups. The slow transformations are reflected in transitional fossils such as Archaeopteryx (a reptile-like bird) and mammal-like reptiles. These transitional fossils bridge the gap from one species to another species and from one branch on the tree of life to another.

 

Brief Challenging Sample Answer: Transitional fossils are rare in the fossil record. A growing number of scientists now question that Archaeopteryx and other transitional fossils really are transitional forms. The fossil record as a whole shows that major evolutionary changes took place suddenly over brief periods of time followed by longer periods of “stasis” during which no significant change in form or transitional organisms appeared (Punctuated Equilibria). The “Cambrian explosion” of animal phyla is the best known, but not the only example, of the sudden appearance of new biological forms in the fossil record.

 

Aspect 3: Antibiotic Resistance

Citations in the General Tips Section may provide a starting point for student research. It is suggested that students employ additional resources in their research.

 

Brief Supporting Sample Answer: The number of strains of antibiotic resistant bacteria, such as of Staphylococcus aureus, have significantly increased in number over time. Antibiotics used by patients to eliminate disease-causing bacterial organisms have facilitated this change. When some bacteria acquire a mutation that allows them to survive in the presence of antibiotics, they begin to survive in greater numbers than those that do not have this mutation-induced resistance. This shows how environmental changes and natural selection can produce significant changes in populations and species over time.

 

Brief Challenging Sample Answer: The increase in the number of antibiotic resistant bacterial strains demonstrates the power of natural selection to produce small but limited changes in populations and species. It does not demonstrate the ability of natural selection to produce new forms of life. Although new strains of Staphylococcus aureus have evolved, the speciation of bacteria (prokaryotes) has not been observed, and neither has the evolution of bacteria into more complex eukaryotes. Thus, the phenomenon of antibiotic resistance demonstrates microevolution.

 

Aspect 4: Peppered Moths (Biston betularia)

Citations in the General Tips Section may provide a starting point for student research. It is suggested that students employ additional resources in their research.

 

Brief Supporting Sample Answer: During the industrial revolution in England, more soot was released into the air. As a result, the tree trunks in the woodlands grew darker in color. This environmental change also produced a change in the population of English peppered moths (scientifically known as Biston betularia). Studies during the 1950s have suggested a reason for this change. It was observed that light-colored moths resting on dark-colored tree trunks were readily eaten by birds. They had become more visible by their predators compared to their dark-colored counterparts. This different exposure to predation explained why the light-colored moths died with greater frequency when pollution darkened the forest. It also explained why light-colored moths later made a “comeback” when air quality improved in England. This whole situation demonstrates how the process of natural selection can change the features of a population over time.

 

Brief Challenging Sample Answer: English peppered moths show that environmental changes can produce microevolutionary changes within a population. They do not show that natural selection can produce major new features or forms of life, or a new species for that matter—i.e., macroevolutionary changes. From the beginning of the industrial revolution, English peppered moths came in both light and dark varieties. After the pollution decreased, dark and light varieties still existed. All that changed during this time was the relative proportion of the two traits within the population. No new features and no new species emerged. In addition, recent scientific articles have questioned the factual basis of the study performed during the 1950s. Scientists have learned that peppered moths do not actually rest on tree trunks. This has raised questions about whether color changes in the moth population were actually caused by differences in exposure to predatory birds.

 

Aspect 5: Endosymbiosis (formation of cellular organelles)

Citations in the General Tips Section may provide a starting point for student research. It is suggested that students employ additional resources in their research.

 

Brief Supporting Sample Answer: Complex eukaryotic cells contain organelles such as chloroplasts and mitochondria. These organelles have their own DNA. This suggests that bacterial cells may have become established in cells that were ancestral to eukaryotes. These smaller cells existed for a time in a symbiotic relationship within the larger cell. Later, the smaller cell evolved into separate organelles within the eukaryotic ancestors. The separate organelles, chloroplast and mitochondria, within modern eukaryotes stand as evidence of this evolutionary change.

 

Brief Challenging Sample Answer: Laboratory tests have not yet demonstrated that small bacteria (prokaryotic cells) can change into separate organelles, such as mitochondria and chloroplasts within larger bacterial cells. When smaller bacterial cells (prokaryotes) are absorbed by larger bacterial cells, they are usually destroyed by digestion. Although some bacterial cells (prokaryotes) can occasionally live in eukaryotes, scientists have not observed these cells changing into organelles such as mitochondria or chloroplasts.

 

 

Attachment B

Investigative Worksheet

 

This activity will help you to prepare for the critical analysis activity. Complete the following table by addressing the following points when you record supporting and challenging data for one aspect of evolution. Record your responses on the appropriate space on the chart.

 

• Write a brief summary of what you have read and discovered regarding your particular aspect and how it supports evolutionary theory.
• Write a brief summary of what you have read and discovered regarding your particular aspect and how it challenges evolutionary theory.
• Were any scientific tools, instruments or other forms of technology used by scientists to support this evidence and how it supports a key aspect of evolutionary theory?
• Were any scientific tools, instruments or other forms of technology used by scientists to challenge this evidence and how it challenges the key aspect of evolutionary
• How do scientists critically analyze this aspect of evolution?
• Is the information you found supported by using the scientific method? Are there any limitations?
• Are there any other type(s) of research that scientists need to do in order to critically analyze evolution? Briefly explain your answer.

 

[PatrickHenry]

Imagine a mural painted from a god's perspective -- a very large mural -- starting at the left end with the earliest life on earth, and progressing through all the various intermediate forms to all the life we see at the present time at the far right end of the mural. Now cut it up into millions of pieces and bury it, all over the earth, with the pieces from the earliest end of the mural buried deepest, at levels corresponding to the time such creatures lived. That's the fossil record.

Now, gradually over the generations, dig up the pieces and assemble them by how they appear to fit. You get a comprehensible picture, but even though it seems to be the only way to put the pieces together, you can't be certain that you've got it right. Then, wonder of wonders, various techniques of radiometric dating are developed, and when applied to the pieces of the puzzle, the tests confirm that the pieces you've assigned to the early end of the mural do indeed belong there, and so on moving along to the present end. Very nice coincidence. It shows that you're doing it right.

Then, DNA gets discovered, and again you can test your assemply of the puzzle. The individual pieces you've placed next to each other do indeed turn out to be more closely related to one another than they would be to other pieces, thus confirming again, through another independent line of evidence, the manner in which you've assembled the pieces to construct the mural.

The result is the story of life on earth according to the theory of evolution. There is no other way to assemble the picture consistent with the age of the pieces and their genetic relationship with adjacent pieces. But there are gaps in the picture, because not all pieces have been found. Maybe some will never be found.

Notwithstanding the gaps, the picture is visible, and the theory predicts what pieces may exist, and it predicts that if they're found, they'll fit right into the gaps where they belong. Nothing "new" will be found that fits into the "old" end of the mural. Nothing will be found that doesn't genetically relate to the pieces before and after it. Every new piece that gets found is a test of the theory, because it may not fit. Yet each new piece actually does find its proper place in the mural, and the theory survives each new test. Nothing is ever found that contradicts the picture.

[Fester Chugabrew]

Hehe. Abiogenesis is a real b*tch when it comes to science, isn't it? But I will wait patiently for a suitable hypothesis.

I keep hearing you say I am "ignorant of science," "playing word games", indulging in "non-sequiteurs," attempting to do a big "gotcha," "too lazy to think for myself," too "stupid," etc. But I don't hear any serious attempts to answer my questions. I certainly haven't seen evidence that science can lay down a hypothesis to test how life came about without the agents of intelligence or design.

What gives? Surely the subject is caple of being discussed rationally rather than emotionally. Please give it a try.

[Fester Chugabrew]

Fester, please, please, please stop showing your ignorance.

I cannot apologize for not being as enlightened as you. My ignorance will always show. So instead I will ask at least that you make a half-hearted attempt to apply yourself to my response to your question, "What exactly is your point?"

I answered your question in good faith that you wanted to know. Please give consideration to my response instead of declaring me to be outright ignorant of science. That is no help at all.

Is that how you teach? Do you consider your students "ignorant" and then tell them how to think? Are you asking these questions to bait me? What exactly is YOUR point?

[Fester Chugabrew]

In my opinion your mural analogy makes a great deal of sense and shows the proper application of science. In no way does it go beyond what natural reason can apprehend through sensory perception and intuition. Thank you for sharing it.

[Amelia]

I certainly haven't seen evidence that science can lay down a hypothesis to test how life came about without the agents of intelligence or design.

I asked you to propose such a hypothesis, but I still haven't seen one.

By "agents of intelligence or design" I suppose you mean God or gods of some sort?

[Fester Chugabrew]

I asked you to propose such a hypothesis, but I still haven't seen one.

No. You asked me to propose a hypothesis that might substantiate just the opposite. I am happy to report that I am incapable of creating a hypothesis that would result in proving the existence of God.

By "agents of intelligence or design" I suppose you mean God or gods of some sort?

Absolutely not. Why would you suppose such a thing, other than the fact that I do not accept every aspect of evolutionary theory on its face?

[Amelia]

Absolutely not. Why would you suppose such a thing, other than the fact that I do not accept every aspect of evolutionary theory on its face?

Please explain what you DO mean, then.

I'm not sure I understand what sort of "agent of intelligence or design", other than a god, could enable life.

[Fester Chugabrew]

In view of modern scientific progress there are certain words that perhaps ought be struck from the dictionary. Here is one of them:

-------

crea·ture    ( P )  Pronunciation Key  (krchr)
n.

1. Something created.
2. 1. A living being, especially an animal: land creatures; microscopic creatures in a drop of water.
   2. A human.
   3. An imaginary or fantastical being: mythological creatures; a creature from outer space.
3. One dependent on or subservient to another.

---

creatur·al adj.
creature·li·ness n.
creature·ly adj.

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Source: The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

creature

\Crea"ture\ (kr?"t?r; 135), n. [F. cr?ature, L. creatura. See Create.] 1. Anything created; anything not self-existent; especially, any being created with life; an animal; a man.

He asked water, a creature so common and needful that it was against the law of nature to deny him. --Fuller.

God's first creature was light. --Bacon.

On earth, join, all ye creatures, to extol Him first, him last, him midst, and without end. --Milton.

And most attractive is the fair result Of thought, the creature of a polished mind. --Cowper.

2. A human being, in pity, contempt, or endearment; as, a poor creature; a pretty creature.

The world hath not a sweeter creature. --Shak.

3. A person who owes his rise and fortune to another; a servile dependent; an instrument; a tool.

A creature of the queen's, Lady Anne Bullen. --Shak.

Both Charles himself and his creature, Laud. --Macaulay.

4. A general term among farmers for horses, oxen, etc.

Creature comforts, those which minister to the comfort of the body.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.

creature

n 1: a living organism characterized by voluntary movement [syn: animal, animate being, beast, brute, fauna] 2: a human being; `wight' is an archaic term [syn: wight] 3: a person who is used to perform unpleasant or dishonest tasks for someone else [syn: tool, puppet]

Source: WordNet ® 1.6, © 1997 Princeton University

creature

denotes the whole creation in Rom. 8:39; Col. 1:15; Rev. 5:13; the whole human
race in Mark 16:15; Rom. 8:19-22. The living creatures in Ezek. 10:15, 17, are
imaginary beings, symbols of the Divine attributes and operations.

Source: Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary

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Or maybe we could just modify the word and call it "evoluture." Anything to rid ourselves of this superstitious, unscientific notion that the universe came about by anything other than magic.

[Fester Chugabrew]

I'm not sure I understand what sort of "agent of intelligence or design", other than a god, could enable life.

I'm not sure either. I think I'll chug another brew and wait for science to explain it to me. I do know a couple good magicians, however. Maybe they did it.

[js1138]

Critical analysis is terribly important. You are aware, aren't you, that Lesson plans are being prepared for ninth grade history classes on Critical Analysis of Religion. Emphasis will be placed on the commonalities of world religions, the inspired prophet, the creation myths, the common core of moral teaching. This course is being declared as a unit on multiculturalism.

[js1138]

The high school material isn't online yet, but it's inspired by these folks:

http://www.religioustolerance.org/

[Alamo-Girl]

Thank you so much for the ping!

Amelia: I'm not sure I understand what sort of "agent of intelligence or design", other than a god, could enable life.

Fester: I'm not sure either. I think I'll chug another brew and wait for science to explain it to me. I do know a couple good magicians, however. Maybe they did it.

Actually, there is a prize being offered for the first credible answer to the underlying question:

Origin of Life Prize

"The Origin-of-Life Prize" ® (hereafter called "the Prize") consists of $1.35 Million (USD) paid directly to the winner(s). The Prize will be awarded for proposing a highly plausible mechanism for the spontaneous rise of genetic instructions in nature sufficient to give rise to life. To win, the explanation must be consistent with empirical biochemical and thermodynamic concepts as further delineated herein, and be published in a well-respected, peer-reviewed science journal(s).

I find it quite interesting that, like national missile defense, many if not most people presume that science has an answer to the question, What is life? It doesn't. It isn’t obvious what the difference might be between a lifeless thing and a living thing. Biologists don't care but physicists and mathematicians do, and they are looking (Pattee, Rocha, Yockey, etc.):

The Physics of Symbols

Syntactic Autonomy

At present, it appears physicists and mathematicians are focusing on information, which is defined by Shannon as a successful communication, as that which separates the living from the non-living. The first highly plausible origin for such information will win the above prize.

Although there are many interesting possibilites involving geometric physics and dimensionality - and especially Tegmark's Level IV universe model, we are nevertheless bound by the fact that the universe or multi-verse or cyclic or ekpyrotic cosmology all must have a beginning. And as Rocha points out, information must arise from a change of states (like a computer would perform an algorithm) in order to give rise to autonomous biological self-organizing complexity. Therefore, I strongly believe the actual origin for information will ultimately be determined as non-temporal, non-spatial and non-corporeal. IOW, the Word. But of course I'll keep watching to see how far science progresses in my lifetime.

For more information on my musings: Evolution through the backdoor

[js1138]

You do believe, don't you that ninth graders are mature enough to be exposed to all major religions on an equal basis, and decide for themselves, on the basis of objective evidence, which are true and which are false?

[js1138]

Here's an example from their site:

"Buddhism has the characteristics of what would be expected in a cosmic religion for the future: it transcends a personal God, avoids dogmas and theology; it covers both the natural & spiritual, and it is based on a religious sense aspiring from the experience of all things, natural and spiritual, as a meaningful unity" Albert Einstein

I know several of the ID proponents on this thread have mentioned Einstein as an example of a scientist with faith. I think he would be a perfect role model for ninth graders, don't you?

[Elsie]

Hold the rainbow in your mind until the voices stop.

I consider myself in good company...

 

Acts 26:22-26
 22.  But I have had God's help to this very day, and so I stand here and testify to small and great alike. I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen--
 23.  that the Christ  would suffer and, as the first to rise from the dead, would proclaim light to his own people and to the Gentiles."
 24.  At this point Festus interrupted Paul's defense. "You are out of your mind, Paul!" he shouted. "Your great learning is driving you insane."
 25.  "I am not insane, most excellent Festus," Paul replied. "What I am saying is true and reasonable.
 26.  The king is familiar with these things, and I can speak freely to him. I am convinced that none of this has escaped his notice, because it was not done in a corner.

[Elsie]

"Buddhism has the characteristics of what would be expected in a cosmic religion for the future: it transcends a personal God, avoids dogmas and theology; it covers both the natural & spiritual, and it is based on a religious sense aspiring from the experience of all things, natural and spiritual, as a meaningful unity" Albert Einstein, and ELSIE

Stick MY screen name on there as well, for I agree wholeheartedly!

This DOES describe Buddhism quite well: No mention of sin; no mention of Heaven, allows anyone who wishes claim to be one.....

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What's not to like? from a human standpoint?

[Amelia]

Very interesting post, thank you! It's going to take me several days (at the least) to digest the information on your website.

Your quote "Or to put it more succinctly, the evolutionary biologist describes but the mathematician/physicist explains" seems to me to encapsulate the problem with the discussion on this thread....

With evolution, biologists describe what the evidence seems to show has happened, but they don't even (so far as I've seen) address a cause. However, 'conventional wisdom' seems to be that they either have, or should.

[Fester Chugabrew]

You do believe, don't you that ninth graders are mature enough . . .

Certainly. But they must show proof of age first.

I am not qualified to place stipulations on when and where an observer of the universe should be allowed to be exposed to this or that information and at the same time be capable of comprehending, assimilating, and responding to the same. I've entrusted that responsibility to public school boards and universities since these are apparently the only places where such qualifications could possibly reside.

[Fester Chugabrew]

Critical analysis is terribly important.

So are homelessness, poverty, education, civilization, history, matter, and the like. "Critical analysis" has the dubious distinction of being subjective, because ultimately it takes place inside each individual's head. Is that why it is so "terribly important?" Where does critical analysis come from, anyway? Is it so terribly important that we cannot live without it?

You are aware, aren't you, that Lesson plans are being prepared for ninth grade history classes on Critical Analysis of Religion.

This does not surprise me in the least, but it sure seems like a strange thing to spring on kids whom one believes to be little more than glorified monkeys.

[balrog666]

Here's a quote for you too:

Everywhere the professed followers of Jesus assume the power to torment their opponents, whenever they can do so without breaking the civil law, and there are few pulpits from which the voice of revilement, contumely, and denunciation is not repeatedly heard.

Gosh, isn't this productive!