Question

Dobzhansky - Except in the Life of Evolution.pdf

Read the posted article (it's long) and submit answers to the following questions.

What did he mean when he said evolution was both fact and theory?

Is there a different way in which a scientist uses the term theory and how every day people use the term?

Can the confounding of the term theory lead to misunderstandings?

When someone claims "evolution is just a theory", what basic science do they not understand?

What were some of the evidences he puts forth to support evolution?

Can science disprove Religion?

Can Religion disprove Science?

It seems science and religion are seeking different things so can one accept both science and religion?

Answer 1

Evolution is both fact and theory -according to Dobzhansky ,facts comes from observation . A fact is a observational evidence of a process which provide base for research and theory is well explained -substantiated facts . A theory helps to define a certain phenomenon . Theory is an opinion . In terms of evolution facts are that organism have evolved in different age from time to time with changes in environment and evolution . Theory provide answer about why the changes occur ,how it has influenced and upto which extent .

Yes there is a different way in which is scientist uses the term theory and how everyday people use the term . Sometimes people use the word theory is related to their day to day works and for unsubstantiated idea . In scientific  language any guess is called as hypothesis but never a theory . The term theory when used by scientists ,it means the rigid explanation based on evidences and which is well established that introduction of any new evidence cannot alter them . .

Yes the confounding of the term theory often lead to misunderstanding . Scientists use this term after going through facts,observation and experiments . But in day to day life people use it for anything they assume. In scientific terms the assumptions are called a hypothesis and  not a theory .

When someone claims "evolution is just a theory". The basic idea they do not understand is the theories of evolution are supported by strong evidences which needs critical observation done by the scientists and then repeated experiments were followed . It is the hardwork of many scientists that we have theories which are rigid and help us to gain knowledge.

Evidences used by him were - Morphological ,embryological ,palantological evidences. Dobzhansky studied mutation in genetic diversity ,are the raw material for natural selection to act on .

Science doesnot disprove religion .it is just that it believe on theories based on evidences . It does not believe on spontaneous generation . It is based upon acceptation based upon evidences . Religion is at their own place it has nothing to do with science .

Yes religion sometimes disprove science especially on the basis of the creation of earth and life . According to religious view point ,earth and creatures are created by God .

One can accept both religion and science . Both have different view points but have their followers who believe on them .