Hey Everyone!
Today, I want to take you on a little journey back in time to the second half of the 19th century. This was a fascinating period in history, especially for science. Picture this: Darwin had just come up with his groundbreaking theory of evolution, and the scientific community was buzzing with debates. Those who supported Darwin’s ideas were called “evolutionists” or “Darwinists.” Imagine the excitement and the heated discussions at that time!
The Evolution of Evolution
Fast forward to the 20th century, and things had changed quite a bit. By then, scientists had discovered genes, and evolution was no longer a hotly debated topic—it was a settled fact. Darwin’s theory was accepted as the best explanation for how different species come to be. Words like “evolutionist” or “Darwinist” became redundant in the scientific community because, well, almost all biologists accepted evolution as a fundamental truth.
Evolution in the 21st Century
Today, it’s pretty much the same story. Around 97% of biologists are “evolutionists”—if we must use that term. But saying a biologist is an “evolutionist” is like saying a doctor is a “germist” because they accept the germ theory of disease. It’s just the foundation of their work!
The Public Perception
Now, here’s where things get a bit tricky. For the general public and scientists in unrelated fields, calling themselves “evolutionists” doesn’t quite make sense. They don’t have the expertise to assess scientific theories in evolutionary biology. So, while they might accept the evolutionary theory, they aren’t equipped to make scientific judgments on the topic.
Take Richard Dawkins, for example. He’s a biologist, so when he calls himself an “evolutionist” or a “Darwinist,” he’s speaking from a place of expertise. But his friend, physicist Lawrence Krauss, wouldn’t call himself an “evolutionist” even though he knows a lot about evolutionary biology. It’s just not his field!
The Takeaway
Today, terms like “Evolutionist” and “Darwinist” are often used by individuals who believe that an almighty God is incapable of creating the universe and life through natural processes. By labeling those who accept a scientific theory, just like any other, as “Darwinists” or “Evolutionists,” they aim to create the illusion that evolutionary theory is merely a matter of opinion. However, in science, facts are not opinions.
Thanks for reading, and I hope you enjoyed it. Feel free to drop your thoughts or questions in the comments below!
Cheers, Tamer.
#Evolution #ScienceHistory #Darwin
