gilbo12345
New Member
I'm interested to hear the reasoning / logic behind the claim "evolution is a fact" or "the facts of evolution" or something to that effect. Considering that the very first thing we learnt in tertiary Biology was that there are no absolutes (facts) in science, since every idea, hypothesis, theory and even law can come undone via future evidence.
Now to pre-emptively avoid any equivocation attempts here is the definition of "fact"
fact
[fakt] Show IPA
noun
1. something that actually exists; reality; truth: Your fears have no basis in fact.
2. something known to exist or to have happened: Space travel is now a fact.
3. a truth known by actual experience or observation; something known to be true: Scientists gather facts about plant growth.
4. something said to be true or supposed to have happened: The facts given by the witness are highly questionable.
5. Law. . Often, facts. an actual or alleged event or circumstance, as distinguished from its legal effect or consequence. Compare question of fact, question of law.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/fact
Doesn't the claim of "evolution is a fact" defy the plasticity of science in that it incorporates new evidence and updates its claims accordingly, how can one update a claim when its already deemed an absolute? (Keep in mind that this is taught at university level)
Now to pre-emptively avoid any equivocation attempts here is the definition of "fact"
fact
[fakt] Show IPA
noun
1. something that actually exists; reality; truth: Your fears have no basis in fact.
2. something known to exist or to have happened: Space travel is now a fact.
3. a truth known by actual experience or observation; something known to be true: Scientists gather facts about plant growth.
4. something said to be true or supposed to have happened: The facts given by the witness are highly questionable.
5. Law. . Often, facts. an actual or alleged event or circumstance, as distinguished from its legal effect or consequence. Compare question of fact, question of law.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/fact
Doesn't the claim of "evolution is a fact" defy the plasticity of science in that it incorporates new evidence and updates its claims accordingly, how can one update a claim when its already deemed an absolute? (Keep in mind that this is taught at university level)