041121a: Why do so many people think that evolution has occured? Why do so few people question evolution?

karthaus@photon.chitose.ac.jp


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041121a: Why do so many people think that evolution has occured? Why do so few people question evolution?

041121a: Only very few people actually know the details (especially the problematic details) about Darwin's evolution theory. But the mass media reports about evolution as if it was a fact (Scientists know that ..... Science found that....). Schools and universities teach evolution as if it was proven. Only rarely one can find people questioning evolution openly. Thus no alternative to the theory of evolution is taught.

Or to quote Morris,
 “The main reason most educated people believe in evolution is simply because they have been told that most educated people believe in evolution” (Morris, 1974, p. 26). 

Here is another quote, that shows how different public thinking and scientific evidence for evolution are apart:
“In the meantime, the educated public continues to believe that Darwin has provided all the relevant answers by the magic formula of random mutations plus natural selection—quite unaware of the fact that random mutations turned out to be irrelevant and natural selection a tautology” (Harvard-trained lawyer Norman MacBeth:  1982, 2:18).

In the primary scientific literature, scientists honestly report facts that are contrary to prevalent evolution theory. Actually, many ideas thought to be true by Darwinsist in the past were found to be untrue (see question 041130a). Every once in a while, one can read articles about evolution in the two biggest and most respected scientific journals (Nature and Science) that report unexpected findings, dilemmas, or unsolved questions concerning evolution.

When faced with these dilemmas, there are several ways to "solve" the discrepancy.
1. deny them as artefacts
2. modify the theory of evolution to fit the new facts
3. be hopeful that future research will give an answer to explain the "strange" finding in evolutionary terms.
4. question evolution as a theory.

Unfortunately, in many instances, 1, 2, or 3 are chosen. The reason is that there is no alternative to evolution.
Life MUST HAVE BEEN evolved out of nothing!
The only other explanation - some intelligent and powerful mind created life for a purpose - is unacceptable for many.
(answer last modified Jan 11, 2005)

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