What absolute proof is there for the theory of evolution?

Answer 1

There is no absolute proof of evolution.Three main points of conjecture:

1: evolution has never been witnessed.

2: We in science are constantly trying to prove the theory of evolution with the theory that life self generated is a pool of amino acids and proteins by complete chance....so far all experiments to attempt to manufacture a self replicating DNA based Molecule have come to no result. there is some evidence supporting RNA based molecules though. Also if successful this would pose an interesting paradox about creation..being we Science created a self replicating molecule...it did not create itself as theory of evolution works.

3: Fossil record is incomplete, yes sure we share similar bone structures to other animals etc.. but there is no defined developmental line of slight mutation per generation to warrant it being evidence for the time being, but it is getting stronger.

Now I am not even saying Evolution is incorrect. I'm being very open minded.

In fact, I think if you were to ask Richard Dawkins (the prince of evolution) he would say similar and he has:

Dawkins stated that "evolution has been observed. It's just that it hasn't been observed while it's happening." He added that "it is rather like a detective coming on a murder after the scene... the detective hasn't actually seen the murder take place, of course. But what you do see is a massive clue ... Huge quantities of circumstantial evidence. It might as well be spelled out in words of English."

Circumstantial for the moment.

Remember I am answering the question at hand....."Absolute Proof?"

There is no absolute proof.

The theory has a lot evidence in its favor and is the leading idea behind the how did we get here? but it is not absolute.

Definition of Evolution

There seems to be some confusion about what exactly evolution is. Now, when most people say 'evolution' they are referring to Macro-evolution (or speciation), which is the process of one animal slowly changing into another animal. People also tend to refer to Micro-evolution (or adaptation) when trying to prove Macro-evolution but they are two separate processes.

Macro-evolution requires the addition of new genetic material as well as mutations to genetic material in order to bring about enough change to be considered. To be clear, a genetic mutation is the removal of, or change to present genetic material.

Micro-evolution is essentially genetic variation in a species due to genetic mutation. No one argues against Micro-evolution because it is clearly evident. Look at all the different breeds of dogs (or finches) there are today. But there is a limit to how much information you can breed out of dog (or finch) DNA before the animal becomes so unhealthy that it is either unable to reproduce or cannot survive long enough to reproduce.

Macro-evolution, on the other hand, is a theory based on speculation that there is no intelligent designer that created the universe and life, therefore it must have arisen by natural causes. This theory postulates that natural adaptations seen in animals today can eventually lead to the establishment of new species of animals, if given enough time. There is no experiment using the scientific method that can be used to prove that the theory of evolution is correct. That is unless you conduct an experiment over millions of years, but it still would not prove that evolution had occurred in the past.

So the short answer is:

'There is abundant proof of Micro-evolution, but no proof of Macro-evolution.'

For more information and discussion of this topic visit the Discussion Page.

Answer 2

No. By scientific definition, 'proven' is something that can only occur in the realm of mathematics and logic.

The theory of evolution can be shown fitting and valid to the highest accuracies, but there is always the possibility - no matter how small - that it is simply not correct. Until something comes along to demonstrate that incorrectness, however, we can take it as a viable possibility.

Answer 3

yes

Charles Darwin's Work

It has been triple-checked and has been certified as evidence of evolution.

add. And today, we have insects that have evolved to be resistant to insecticides, and plants that have evolved resistance to herbicides.

If the pool of resistant insects grows enough, then it becomes the dominant population, and even if the challenge is removed, the tolerance to insecticide will remain. The species has evolved.

Answer 4

In a sense, theories aren't proven.

A theory, in science, is a comprehensive, consistent explanatory model for some set of observations. While we can say with some certainty that some claims about our observations are likely to be true, based on the evidence, science can never claim that its explanations are absolutely certain to be true. In other words, the mathematical concept of "proof" does not apply to the natural sciences. In stead, theories in the natural sciences are supported and confirmed through evidence. While there is no "proof" in the mathematical sense of the soundness of evolutionary theory, the central theses of evolutionary theory (common descent, descent with modification, natural selection) are confirmed by such an overwhelming amount of evidence, that one might as well say that they've been "proven."

So, to summarize: yes, to the extent that any theory in the natural sciences can be "proven," evolutionary theory is "proven" by the evidence.

If you are using the modern idea of evolution, "change in DNA over time through progressive generations," yes; this has been proven beyond all doubts from DNA. This is obvious in genetic studies.

To synopsize, yes and no, evidence does prove the theory of evolution. As a theory, it can never be totally proven. As of now, it is essentially as proven as it will ever be, and we can say with a fair degree of certainty that the theory of evolution is true. Much modern biological, medical, and other science is based on the theory of evolution, just as much progress in other fields, such as physics, is based on such theoretical things as gravity and light. That there is yet no substantial amount of competent evidence to support any rival to the theory of evolution is further, overwhelming evidence to support it. Due to its very nature, however, we will never be able to really prove the theory of evolution for the negative or positive.

Answer 5

The theory is; theory of evolution by natural selection. Evolution is a fact and alleles change over time in populations of organisms, which is evolution.

Most of the evidence for evolution comes from the fossil record. Fossils show how much, or how little, organisms have changed over time. However, Fossils do not contain such things as DNA. If DNA were present scientists could use the information to drill backward to establish lines of evaluation to some degree, nothing

is 100% perfect.

However, in relation to what we do have, fossils we accept that there is a problem with the fossil record is that it contains gaps. Not all organisms fossilise well. And many fossils have been destroyed by the natural movements of the Earth, industry and human intervention to where these fossils may be found or of course have simply not been discovered as yet. Therefore, we can only be sure with what we have to date. Many of Darwins

theories still are held as a guide as until unquestionable evidence is found to the contrary.