Evolution
Not to be confused with "Evilution".
While the term is used in various ways, in this context "evolution" refers to the process of changes in the inherited traits of reproductive populations over generations, which is summarily defined as "descent with [inherent genetic] modification" as coined by Charles Darwin. It is a natural phenomenon that encompasses the diversity of all life. One of the the driving mechanisms behind this process is "natural selection".
The theory of evolution (ToE) is the scientific model that explains how and why evolution occurs, as well as explaining the unity and diversity of life (not its origins) by concluding that every known species extant or extinct, is the result of evolution through common descent (and a few other processes such as "horizontal gene transfer" and "endosymbiosis"). As a result of the overwhelming evidence in favor of the theory, it represents the consensus of the scientists in the field of biology and science in general, thereby making it one of the most strongest and well-supported theories in science. The theory of evolution is the very backbone of modern biology and understanding evolution has become a fundamental aspect in that particular field of science.
Understanding evolution (especially how it works) isn't easy. In order to adequately understand evolution, you need to have a basic understanding of many different things, including cellular biology, genetics, anatomy, geology, paleontology, taxonomy, and more. It is a very complex subject and passing biology classes in college requires following many lessons on evolution, depending on what schools you are talking about. Many notable scientists throughout history have devoted their entire careers on this very subject, and many still do. Despite this, there are quite a few people who dismiss the entire scientific paradigm by asserting that evolution is "just a theory, not a fact" (among other asinine statements), as if they know better than every expert anywhere ever. The bulk of this category consists mainly of scientifically illiterate morons.
Something not worth anyone's attention
By using the science of the new Intelligent Design <id>, the new <id> has, through its "Biological Interrelation", (BiTs) shown that the Theory of Evolution (ToE) had been using the following assumptions/presuppositions or scientific conclusions as basis for ToE:
- Life is probably not intelligently designed (not intellen) since all species might had been following a purely natural processes alone. If life is not intelligently designed (intellen), so are all species and their origins and behaviors with respect to time, surroundings and conditions;
- All processes that deal with living organisms are not following intelligent principles;
- All Xs that deal with living organisms are not categorized as "intelligently designed (intellen) X". Thus, all biological living organisms and their structures and anatomical parts are all categorized as simply natural Xs (naturen). - from MrIntelligentDesign
Correction: Setting aside the fact that "BiTs" is only valid in the mind of our friend, not taken seriously by any scientist anywhere, ever and that these three "assumptions/presuppositions" are all the same thing. This is all wrong since the theory of evolution doesn't make any of these assumption/presupposition nor ever needed to. For one thing, evolution can occur as a result of intelligent intervention. Never heard of artificial selection before? The dog in your house and the banana that you eat are all "intelligently evolved". Of course, most life isn't subject to artificial selection. In this regard, natural selection, genetic drift, and other mechanisms that don't involve any intelligence are fully capable to account for the diversity of life that we observe and there is no scientific evidence that any biological processes is being controlled and / or the result of any intelligence. And allot of evidence to suggest otherwise. None of these are assumptions nor presuppositions, they are supported by an overwhelming amount of evidence. For clarification, while the theory of evolution doesn't conclude that intelligence is involved, that doesn't mean the conclusion is that no intelligence was involved. This is a subtle, but huge distinction and a misconception that needs to be address over and over again. Many people, most people in fact, believe that any natural process, even the ones that are seemingly random and not guided by any intelligence, are being controlled by an all powerful, intelligent entity. For those people, everything that the theory of evolution concludes is in some way the result of a master plan, indicative of a higher power. Thus evolution doesn't refute intelligence in general, only specific forms of it like "special creation". All of this shows that our friend here is talking out of his ass.
