Aspects of Evolution (Evolution)

by George Jelliss , Crewe, Sunday, March 01, 2009, 11:44 (5544 days ago) @ dhw
edited by unknown, Sunday, March 01, 2009, 11:52

1) Life evolved from "a few forms" or one (Darwin).
2) Humans evolved long after many other species.
3) Random mutations create primitive*** new organs. 
4) Natural selection leads over time to simple organs becoming complex.
5) Natural selection leads over time to new species.
6) The fossil record so far confirms/does not confirm the theory. 
7) Whatever I've left out (e.g. I would appreciate guidance on the current status of Lamarckism). - I'm not a biologist. For authoritative views on these issues I refer you to your bete noir, the greatest living evolutionist, Richard Dawkins. - In regard to point 3) I think the use of the word "organs" is misleading. For instance would a primitive light-sensitive spot, a precursor of an eye, properly be called an "organ"? It's actual use to guide the behaviour of the creature might come long after its first appearance as a mutation. Organ suggests something with reasonably complex "organ"-isation and serving a definite function. - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organ_(anatomy) - In regard to point 6) insofar as inductive evidence can "confirm" something, the fossil evidence confirms evolution. The philosophers of epistemology, since Popper, however tell us that "falsification" is more important than "confirmation". Haldane pointed out that evolution would be falsified by the discovery of "fossil rabbits in the precambrian": - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fossil_rabbits_in_the_precambrian - and similar anachronisms: - http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Mansion/6172/flintpics/fredcrane.gif - such as human fossils with dinosaurs!

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GPJ