- Joined
- 01 Oct 04
- Moves
- 12095
Evolutionist Al: Hi Bob! I was wondering ... what is the easiest way to prove evolution?
Evolutionist Bob: That's easy. Just define it to be something that everyone knows is true.
Al: But how do you do that?
Bob: Here, let me show you how they do it in the United States, Their famous reference work, The Encyclopedia Americana (International Edition, 1969) defines it this way: "Evolution is any series of changes in which the nature of each step depends on what has preceded." (Vol. 10, page 609).
Al: But that definition could apply to an artist working on a sculpture, a general moving his forces in a battle, or even a building under construction.
Bob: Of course! That's why we can insist that "evolution is a fact."
Al: What about something more scientific?
Bob: Fine ... Here's one from the U-X-L- Encyclopedia Of Science (1998):
"The term evolution in general refers to the process of change. For example ... the way in which a section of land evolves over time ... as the result of forces such as earthquakes, volcanoes, land movements, rain, snow, wind, and other factors." (page 854)
Al: That sounds more scientific; but what about living things?
Bob: O.K. Let's look at The New Encyclopedia Britannica (15th edition, 1988) for their explanation ...
"Evolution may be defined as change in the genetic composition of a population through time." (Vol. 18, page 939)
Al: People can see that, can't they?
Bob: Of course they can. And the Americana emphasizes that even more clearly. Under the "Evidences of Evolution" they tell us; "5. A certain amount of change (differences between parent and offspring) can be observed at the present time." Everyone knows he's different from his parents, so how can anyone challenge the fact that evolution has taken place?
See: http://www.rtforum.org/lt/lt100.html
Originally posted by dj2beckerDeserves a rec as one of the clearest examples of the strawman fallacy posted this week.
Evolutionist Al: Hi Bob! I was wondering ... what is the easiest way to prove evolution?
Evolutionist Bob: That's easy. Just define it to be something that everyone knows is true.
Al: But how do you do that?
Bob: Here, let me show you how they do it in the United States, Their famous reference work, The Encyclopedia Americana (International Editi ...[text shortened]... challenge the fact that evolution has taken place?
See: http://www.rtforum.org/lt/lt100.html
- Joined
- 01 Oct 04
- Moves
- 12095
Originally posted by HalitoseWell, still waiting for some constructive input on my first post.
Somehow I just knew a dj2 thread on ID and TOE would degenerate into childish namecalling...
Just great...
In the meantime it seems that name-calling is all there is to the TOE.
Imagine: some guys think its a compliment to be related to a chimpanzee.