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Post by pat on Aug 20, 2013 18:31:34 GMT -5
Today is the 155th anniversary of Charles Darwin publishing his theory of evolution in The Journal of Linnean Society of London! Darwin’s theory of natural selection is one facet of evolution; the foundation of all biology. A study has shown that over 99.9% of all professional life scientists accept evolution. It is not a scientific controversy by any standard. A scientific theory is not a wild guess; it is a way to explain a body of facts. Scientific theories do not “graduate” into scientific law. Though Darwin did not publish On The Origin of Species until a few decades later, this is a good time to let you all know that you can get the e-book for FREE via Amazon and the iTunes store. Amazon: amzn.to/13DOYW4Blatantly taken from the "I Fucking Love Science" Facebook page....  |
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Post by raybar on Aug 20, 2013 20:24:16 GMT -5
Thanks for that, Pat.
Anyone who hasn't read "... Origin ..." ought at least have a look at it. A bit tedious, perhaps, but such an important work that everyone should have some familiarity with it.
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Post by pat on Aug 21, 2013 14:07:49 GMT -5
You know, Ray, my training is in biology and I have never read it. Downloaded it for free from Amazon. Will read a bit here and there.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 22, 2013 17:04:46 GMT -5
I prefer the 18-page cliffnotes type version: Quicklet On Charles Darwin's The Origin of Species, $2.99 Kindle. What's new there to know, anyhow? It's amazing how there are still people who use the word "theory" as the lay definition in place of how it's used in science. Just plain ignorant, although I often think it's on purpose. Just last week in the local newspaper there was a letter to the editor which in essence said that evolution was just a theory. A couple of days later there was another letter to the editor which explained the word "theory" on how it's used in science. I don't think it made any difference to those who have fundamentalist beliefs. Irritating. |
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Post by raybar on Aug 22, 2013 20:34:12 GMT -5
It's amazing how there are still people who use the word "theory" as the lay definition in place of how it's used in science. Just plain ignorant, ... Yes, ignorant and proud of it. "Willfully ignorant" as Richard Dawkins has said. I don't recall how the conversation went, but toward the end of it a woman at work said that she didn't believe in evolution. But it was clear that she knew nothing about it, so I suggested that, perhaps, it might be a good idea to read a little about it before rejecting the basis of all biology. "I don't need to read any of that, because I have this," she said, sweeping some papers aside to reveal a bible open on her desk. To her, a page and a half of Bronze Age mythology trumped entire libraries full of research. |
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Post by faskew on Aug 24, 2013 13:47:24 GMT -5
I read Origin and Voyage of the Beagle back in the mid-1970s. Voyage is much more entertaining. Lots of adventures and weirdness. Plus, shows how the trip shaped Darwin's future thinking.
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