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Is Evolution a Fact or Just a Theory?

Updated: Jul 24, 2020

Writen By: Farkhunda

Evolution is the variation in the genetic traits of species over time which was proposed by Charles Darwin, an English naturalist, who’s research illustrates that the process of evolution occurs by natural selection. The theory of natural selection was first introduced in Darwin’s book called “On the Origin of Species” stating that the physical and behavioural variation in species would allow them to adapt, survive, and produce offspring.

Fig. 1. JuliarS, Silhouette man evolution, VectorStock


The concept of evolution is considered to be a theory. According to Darwinists, a theory is a “well-substantiated explanation of an aspect of the natural world that can incorporate laws, hypotheses, and facts”. This suggests that a theory could be more than facts since the concepts are endorsed by evidence and experiments. Moreover, Kenneth R. Miller, an American biologist, called evolution a theory of “a higher form of knowledge than a fact”. One of the applications of this theory is that all organisms have a common ancestor. The theory of evolution demonstrates that the first organism was a prokaryote or a single cell organism, which had arisen from non-living material.


Furthermore, this application has been affirmed by the Miller-Urey experiment of biologists, Stanley Miller and Harold Urey. This experiment involved creating a mixture of non-living material containing steam, methane (CH4), hydrogen (H2), and ammonia (NH3). The mixture was charged with electrodes to exhilarate lightning in the mixture which provided an early life-like atmosphere. Miller and Urey concluded that organic compounds and amino acids, which are essential for organisms, can be spontaneously produced by providing an “early earth atmosphere”. Thus, this experiment elucidates the evidence for the evolution of all organisms from prokaryotes, which are single-cell organisms. The evidence of evolution is not limited to only this example, it can be applied to a larger perspective such as fossils, homologous structures, DNA and genetic code, biogeography, and more.


Conversely, Casey Luskin, an author at the Discovery Institute, writes that a theory can be defined as “a new idea that does not yet have widespread verification or universal acceptance”. His definition suggests that evolution as a theory is not approved universally and is only an “idea”.


There was an experiment that was conducted in the late 1850s that supports the concept that evolution is just an “idea” and does not have enough evidence-- of living organisms evolving from non-living material-- for it to be universally accepted. Louis Pasteur, a French biologist, conducted an experiment which deduced that living organisms have not arisen from non-living material and refused the spontaneous generation of cells. His experiment was done with samples of broth in swan-necked flasks. Firstly, he boiled the broth in the flask to eliminate all bacteria present in broth. After a long period of time, Pasteur found that all bacteria were destroyed and no new bacteria were generated. Based on this outcome, Pasteur concluded that living organisms do not generate spontaneously. Later, he broke the necks of some of the flasks which allowed for the generation of new organisms within each. Therefore, there should be another explanation for the existence of all living organisms other than evolution.


Furthermore, evolution also indicates evidence about the existence and beginning of the universe which is the most accepted concept of this theory. The theory states that the universe started from a hot, dense, and single point in the space. Meaning that everything came to exist without any creator and by itself. In the 1960s, a team of astronomers from NASA were researching to recreate the orbits of the planet from past years and found out that a whole day was missing. After many investigations, they discovered, in Chapter 10 of the book of Joshua, that Joshua pleads to God and his prayer was accepted. In return, the world stopped for a day which was also known as “The Lost Day”. This represents that God has the power of controlling the days and nights and He only is the creator of the universe. In addition, all the assumptions of evolution about the origin of the universe, such as the universe not having a creator and the creation of the universe by itself, are not mutually accepted among people. Thus, to some extent, the concept of evolution does not provide a “universally accepted” hypothesis, suggesting that evolution is only a theory.


In conclusion, evolution can be best defined as a theory, since most of the resources suggest it, however, there are conflicts on the definition of theory. Some suggest that theory is just an “idea” which does not need to be accepted universally. While others claim that a theory is more than just a “fact”. Although evolution is one of the richest theories for the existence of the universe and living organisms, it still has limitations and cannot be explained for some events. Based on Pasteur’s experiment and the “Lost Day”, I personally think that evolution could be best defined as a theory and “idea” rather than a “fact”.

Edited By: Gisele & Liann

Bibliography:


Burkeman, Oliver. “Why Everything You've Been Told about Evolution Is Wrong.” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 19 Mar. 2010, www.theguardian.com/science/2010/mar/19/evolution-darwin-natural-selection-genes-wrong. Accessed 8 JUN. 2020

Chow, Denise. “The Universe: Big Bang to Now in 10 Easy Steps.” Space.com, Space, 19 Oct. 2011,

“Evidence for Evolution (Article).” Khan Academy, Khan Academy, 2016, www.khanacademy.org/science/biology/her/evolution-and-natural-selection/a/lines-of-evid Accessed 7 JUN. 2020

Luskin, Casey. “Is ‘Evolution’ a ‘Theory’ or ‘Fact’ or Is This Just a Trivial Game of Semantics?” Discovery Institute, 28 July 2008, www.discovery.org/a/6401/#question1. Accessed 9 JUN. 2020

Mitchell, Tommy. “NASA Found Joshua's Missing Day.” Answers in Genesis, 24 Aug. 2010, answersingenesis.org/creationism/arguments-to-avoid/nasa-found-joshuas-missing-day/. Accessed 8 JUN. 2020

S, Juliar. “Silhouette Man Evolution Vector Image.” Vectorstock, www.vectorstock.com/royalty-free-vector/silhouette-man-evolution-vector-6295047. Accessed 9 JUN. 2020

“The Origin of Cells.” Biology: Oxford IB Diploma Programme, by Andrew Allott and David Mindorff, Oxford University Press, 2014, pp. 47–48. Accessed 7 JUN. 2020

“What Is a Theory?.” American Museum of Natural History, AMNH.org, www.amnh.org/exhibitions/darwin/evolution-today/what-is-a-theory. Accessed 8 JUN. 2020

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