Introduction
Here’s a quick definition of the theory of evolution — a biological description of how new animal species arise from older animal species. Is that a good definition? No. For starters, I have not said anything about the essential mechanisms of evolution — whether it is magic or natural selection that moves this process along. As with every debate, the need for clearly defined terms becomes critical in conversations about evolution.
In this first part of our series, we will seek to define what we mean when we speak of “biological evolution” (as well as many other terms along the way). Over the course of this first part we will examine the history of the theory, and identify the major shifts in thought since the publication of On the Origins of Species in 1859.
Before we define evolution, however, we should do away with some initial areas of confusion. In particular, I have discovered overtime that popular conversations about evolution often muddle together related but distinct questions. Specifically, discussions often confuse evolution with debates about 1) the origin of life and 2) The origin/design of the universe.
In addition to the brief points I will make in regards to these distinct questions, I have included a lengthier discussion of the popular distinction between microevolution and macroevolution — its validity, uses, and misuses.
I imagine someone might find it odd that on a series of evolution I have decided to begin with the origin of life, the universe, and the micro-macro distinction. All before I have even said the word “Darwin.” But I have found that these ideas are often playing in the background when we commonly argue about evolution, and as this is a series which seeks to improve our popular understanding, it seemed an appropriate place to start.
If we begin to talk about Darwin without knowing that his theory has relatively nothing to say about the origin of life, then we may be long into our conversation before we realize something is amiss. Therefore, let us use our preliminary definition of evolution — a biological description of how new animal species arise from older animal species —as a guide to tell us what evolution is not.
The Origins of Species Vs. The Origins of Life
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