Sunday, June 6, 2010

Evidence and Interpretation of Evolution

Let’s talk about the evidence for evolution. Evolution has been seen by human eyes, and recorded. It is shown that birds, who have a variety of colors, will tend toward colors that keep them camouflaged in the environment that they live in. This only makes sense, for predators will capture the birds that are not camouflaged well. And this means that within that species, there will be changes over time. No problem, for any breeder or horticulturalist well knows that you can remarkably change the appearance of an animal or plant to suit one’s purposes—whether on purpose or by accident. Changes happen.

For evolution there is also the fossil record. The fossil record shows that over a long period of time, species have changed remarkably, and that most species that existed in the early times of earth no longer exist. And that humanity is a young species compared to the many varieties of species over time. The fossil record also shows, in general, that species develop in complexity over time. Species with fewer cells consistently exist earlier in the fossil record, and systems develop and then are included consistently later on in the fossil record. This indicates development over time.

However, the mechanism of that development is not clearly seen. To understand that, there must be interpretation of the evidence. Darwin was a marvelous interpreter, but many seculars who honor his findings, also find that his interpretation has need of exam and re-interpretation, not least of which is Stephan Gould. Thus, “survival of the fittest” is simply a principle which could interpret the findings, but not the only one. In fact, scientific interpreters find, the facts are much more complex than “fittest” could explain.

No comments:

Post a Comment