Do you take evolution literally? (blessing, science)

[Willamena]

Do you take evolution literally? Why or why not?

[Seyorni]

What, exactly, do you meanby "literal?"
If you mean do I accept that creatures change over time then, yes, I take evolution literally.

[Father Heathen]

Yes. They don't tend to use parables to teach science.

[DallasApple]

Yeah..Its kind of like asking do you take 1+1=2 litterally?

Blessings

Dallas

[Random]

Mutation and Selection are sound enough, but the theories about how we evolved formally in terms of transient/intermediary bodies are spurious speculations, IMO. Like when the man in the white coat tells you animals change over time physically, cells have altered DNA from one period in history to another etc. then you can safely say "Sure". But when he breaks out the evolutionary charts with "cavemen" and big brutish looking neanderthal monkey-men and says "These are your ancestors", you should really be rather skeptical...

[Father Heathen]

Originally Posted by Random

Mutation and Selection are sound enough, but the theories about how we evolved formally in terms of transient/intermediary bodies are spurious speculations, IMO. Like when the man in the white coat tells you animals change over time physically, cells have altered DNA from one period in history to another etc. then you can safely say "Sure". But when he breaks out the evolutionary charts with "cavemen" and big brutish looking neanderthal monkey-men and says "These are your ancestors", you should really be rather skeptical...

Skeptical due to the idea not being emotionally palatable?

[logician]

I take evolution like I take physics or chemistry, as a fundamental science.

[rhys]

You take scientific theories as true ('literally'?) until they are disproved. This one hasn't been, obviously, or scientists wouldn't accept it. What is your point here?

[fantôme profane]

Originally Posted by Random

Mutation and Selection are sound enough, but the theories about how we evolved formally in terms of transient/intermediary bodies are spurious speculations, IMO. Like when the man in the white coat tells you animals change over time physically, cells have altered DNA from one period in history to another etc. then you can safely say "Sure". But when he breaks out the evolutionary charts with "cavemen" and big brutish looking neanderthal monkey-men and says "These are your ancestors", you should really be rather skeptical...

We should always be skeptical, about everything.

This is a valid point. Scientists and science teachers often use not only artistic renderings but also metaphors and analogies to explain concepts that are difficult to grasp. And although this is necessary it can often lead people to oversimplify and take things much too literally.

Still I believe that what these thing are trying to convey about the origin of species is most likely true. But we still need to strive to understand it.