Originally posted by: alkemyst
Originally posted by: SMOGZINN
It is never a good idea to try to make an argument from authority on an internet forum. I do not like discussing my educational background over forums, as it means nothing and only my logic can hold any real meaning here. I agree with you that my metaphors were not very apt, I am afraid that I was never very talented as a creative writer. I should have avoided it.
What I was trying to point out was that as a body of evidence for a theory grows so does the reliability of that theory.
If you do not think that evolution has a strong body of evidence supporting it, I suggest you take some courses in genetics, anthropology, or microbiology (or specifically immunology or parasitology) as these fields is where you will find the application of the theory.
I am not sure why you would say that. Originally 'Internet Forums' were exactly for that purpose, statements from authority.
Yes, and it was a wonderful time for educational institutions. But then the endless september came....
I have no idea why one would have a problem discussing one's educational background, and logic only answers are exactly why there are most of the problems with the whole science vs. religion debates (as indicated in previous posts above).
Because it can mean nothing. I do not know you, and all I can know about you is what you write here. You could claim to be Darwin himself, and only logic could tell me otherwise. The only proper way to judge an argument that is for all practical purposes posted anonymously is to judge it based on its logic.
Also I never said I didn't think evolution theory did not have a strong body of evidence, however; it is a part of science that has some issues. Also there are some Creationists that still believe in evolution, and some that do, but do not think it applies to man.
One of the main problems is people want to say that by accepting evolution you are accepting the non-existance of God(s), the two arguements are mutually exclusive...but always tend to be lumped together.
The issues it has have are not based on its scientific merit, but instead on emotional response to it. It seems obvious to me that evolution does not deny the possibility of God, nor the possibility of his diect will in the process. All evolution does is give us an understanding of the methods of the process, but can never tell us why.
I have already had courses in the topics you have suggested...but I didn't hear much on evolution in them. However; in my Comparative Anatomy and Physiology courses the topic was almost entirely on evolution and would have been a better example.
I find the first part of your statement suprising I can not imagine how you would teach microbiological adaptive behaviour with out discussing evolution, and I just didn't didn't think about comparitive anatomy class when I wrote my post but it is an exellent point.
I have no doubt that evolution happens. However; the theory to prove that all things evolve has a lot of room to solidify.
Yes, in the same way that the theory of gravity has a long way to prove that all matter attracts.
The main problem comes from proving it on more complex animals (including man) as these changes cannot be monitored directly in even the course of several lifetimes.
But there are still lots of evidence for it: Fossil records, wisdom teeth, appendix, sickle cell anemia?