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Politics : About that Cuban boy, Elian -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?


To: Master (Hijacked) who wrote (7600)6/14/2000 8:00:00 PM
From: Dayuhan  Read Replies (1) | Respond to of 9127
 
Scientists use the word "theory" in a slightly different way than lay people do: any proposition that cannot be demonstrated in a replicable experiment has to be forever classified as "theory", no matter how strong the evidence supporting it is. This is a little hard on some theories: it is a little bit difficult, for example, to contrive a replicable experiment to confirm the theory of plate tectonics.

As has been pointed out, the evolution debate is actually composed of two different propositions: Evolution, the facts behind which are practically incontestable, and Natural Selection, the theory which has been proposed to explain Evolution, which remains incomplete.

As far as teaching them goes, I think that when students are old enough to study the scientific method, and the various definitions of scientific law, scientific theory, and experimental evidence, it makes sense to introduce the concept of theory as incomplete and malleable. Before that point, I see no problem with teaching generally accepted theory as fact, especially since refusing to do that would make scientific education in the early grades almost impossible.



To: Master (Hijacked) who wrote (7600)6/15/2000 2:58:00 AM
From: X Y Zebra  Respond to of 9127
 
Are we discussing Evolution or are we discussing an alternative? I have asked you and your confreres to convince me of "The Fact of Evolution" and your response is simply that since there are no other theories brought forth to date, evolution wins by default.

Excuse me ?

I never addressed you offering anything. YOU have asked NOTHING of ME. For your information, I am not out to convince you or anyone of anything.

Which means, I do not have to respond to ANYTHING, since I never offered you what you claim. (I quote) "your response is simply that since there are no other theories brought forth to date, evolution wins by default"

Want proof ?

Here READ: (This is my post about evolution. i.e. MY OPINION, NOT MY INTENT TO CONVINCE YOU OF ANYTHING.)

Message 13875861

To which YOU addressed me and said:

Message 13877317

and you indicated in it:

Per piacere, I must leave the office, can't read all of your post and comment on it right now.

This leads me to believe that you would comment on it later... to this date I am waiting for your comments on the subject.

A = NOT A BEEP.

Then, I asked you:

Message 13880736

Fine, I am listening, but please, spare me the dogma, the preachings and the miracles, give me valid explanations.

...and if you can not come up with some, then believe in what you will, but let others believe in what they will, do not attempt to convince others (and children), of your beliefs.


Did you read that S L O W L Y ... It says, "I am asking YOU"

It also says..."belive in what you will" Translation, I HAVE NO INTEREST IN CONVINCING YOU OF ANYTHING.

To which you said (among other things):

Message 13881848

I question your evolution theory just like I question the existence of God or like I would question any other theory brought forth

Therefore... I continued to ask...

Message 13883574

As I said, present to me your alternative theory/argument, (religious or not), the content I am willing to listen to, however, the "attitude" is what I oppose.

Indeed I even offered you this:

Yes, I believe in evolution, I understand that there are a lot of assumptions, but even said assumptions follow a pattern, a logical pattern, sometimes the assumptions become facts based on accepted methods. (i.e. carbon dating ).

<snip>

1. I repeat, I am listening to your theories.

2. At this point, I have to say that evolution, seems the most logical and probable explanation. Please let me know of the alternative.

3. Even if I were all the things you say, I would still come short of being a religious freacko... by a long mile. (for starters, so long you do not preach your beliefs to me, I could not care less what they are.)


Finally, this brought us to your comments:

Message 13885737

Are we discussing Evolution or are we discussing an alternative? I have asked you and your confreres to convince me of "The Fact of Evolution" and your response is simply that since there are no other theories brought forth to date, evolution wins by default.

<snip>

You are proposing the theory therefore the onus is on you to convince those who see many questions unanswered by your thesis.


So...

Tell me "Master" Where in my posts have I:

1. Had the response that you infer above? (i.e. That evolution "wins" by default")

2. Where have I said "I am going to convince you of...."

3. When have I said that I was going to "answer any questions unanswered in my thesis"

__________

Don't give me no more b.s you are a waste of time. In your FIRST POST TO ME IN THIS SUBJECT, you said you will be making some comments.

I am still waiting, but frankly... forget it ! you are the type that likes to go around in circles, and worse, you do not even remember WHAT YOU WROTE, OR WHO DID YOU WRITE IT TO.

So don't confuse milk of magnesia with Amnesia.

I"m listening!

Well... you are not going to be hearing from me on this subject.

I belive in what I belive (evolution), I do not need to convince you of it, it is up to you to arrive at whatever conclusions you whish, (just keep them to yourself please, I really do not care to hear them). Please don't preach to me.

And as for...

Real brilliant reasoning.

Well... I am happy you recognize it !!



To: Master (Hijacked) who wrote (7600)6/15/2000 6:21:00 AM
From: Dayuhan  Respond to of 9127
 
I have asked you and your confreres to convince me of "The Fact of Evolution" and your response is simply that since there are no other theories brought forth to date, evolution wins by default.

The fossil record presents a huge and detailed chronology of the development of life on earth, and leaves very little room for interpretations other than evolution.

Natural selection, the theory proposed as the mechanism for evolution, is not as clearly or completely evidenced.