What is evolution?
Evolution is technically defined as: "a gradual process in which something changes into a different and
usually more complex or better form." As it is most famously used, "evolution" is the process by which an
organism becomes more sophisticated over time and in response to its environment. The Theory of
Evolution is currently the most popular concept of how life reached its current state. Evolution as a
biological mechanism is driven by natural selection. This theory is favored by many scientists to explain
phenomena in nature, so much so that it is generally assumed as factual in most studies.
In reality, evolution is not without controversy. Religious objections aside, in-depth analysis of evolution
raises doubts that the scientific community is hard pressed to answer. Evolution has never been
fundamentally proven, and most scientists admit as much. Ironically, many evolutionists defend the theory
using arguments once attributed to fundamentalist Christians, such as "it just makes the most sense," and
"because I choose to believe it," or "because I refuse to believe the opposite." These scientists fill in the
gaps in the evolutionary model using reasonable assumptions, something for which non-evolutionists are
often criticized.
Evolution has several important components: Natural Selection, Macro-evolution, and Micro-evolution.
Evolution as a theory existed long before any evidence for its components was recorded. Scientific
studies eventually were able to interpret data through an evolutionary viewpoint and link these core
concepts into the modern theory of evolution.
Natural selection is the machine that drives evolution. This mechanism causes those organisms that are
"abnormal" to survive an environmental change, making them the "new normal." Over time, according to
the Theory of Evolution, this can cause an organism to change into a totally different form of life. Some
evidence of natural selection has been seen in nature, but not to an extent that would change a species in
any meaningful way. Every genetic mutation that science has observed changing the form or function of
an organism has resulted in handicap or death. It does, however, mean that an ecosystem is vulnerable
to rapid change, since organisms that cannot adapt will usually die.
Nobody disputes Micro-Evolution. It is universally agreed that wolves, coyotes, dingoes, jackals, foxes,
and the hundreds of different domestic dog breeds probably all came from an original pair of "dogs." This
is Variations within a Kind, NOT upward evolution from simplicity into complexity as supposed by
Darwinian Evolutionary Theory. The variations are always in a downward trend and are constrained by
the genetic code (the dogs do not grow wings and learn to fly). No new genetic information is added,
genetic information is always lost: The original pair of "dogs" would have had all of the potential
characteristics of all of their various progeny, while the descendants themselves have lost that same
potential. The Dog Kind has given birth to many species which in turn became isolated gene pools. The
original parents would have had all of the potential traits expressed in all of their various offspring. This is
all science has ever observed. There is no known process by which genetic information can be added.
While Micro-Evolution (Variations within a Kind) is observed and well documented, Macro-Evolution is not
and thus highly disputable. Macro-Evolution is transition from one Kind of plant or animal into another.
Macro-evolution involves large or important changes in the basic function of an organism. This cannot
happen during a single organism's life, so it can only be the result of a series of genetic mutations. Every
genetic mutation involving form or function observed in laboratories has either been fatal, crippling, or
self-reversing. For instance, some bacteria with genetic deviations have survived antibiotics better than
those without, but died out quickly once the antibiotics were gone. Macro-evolution is the evolutionists'
explanation for how the billions of diverse species on earth came about - Variation from one Kind to
another.
As shown above, evolution as the core mechanism of biology suffers from some severe drawbacks.
There is an overwhelming tendency of organisms to suffer, rather than benefit from mutation. The
balance of earth's ecosystems, including the relationships between species, is nearly impossible to
explain under evolution's ever-changing view. In reality, evolution is not really different than other
philosophical or religious opinions about the origins of life. It seems to be supported by some facts and
seems to be refuted by others. There are gaps in the theory that must be filled by "the benefit of the
doubt." In religious circles, this is referred to as "faith."
Darwin's Theory of Evolution - The Premise
Darwin's Theory of Evolution is the widely held notion that all life is related and has descended from a
common ancestor: the birds and the bananas, the fishes and the flowers -- all related. Darwin's general
theory presumes the development of life from non-life and stresses a purely naturalistic (undirected)
"descent with modification". That is, complex creatures evolve from more simplistic ancestors naturally
over time. In a nutshell, as random genetic mutations occur within an organism's genetic code, the
beneficial mutations are preserved because they aid survival -- a process known as "natural selection."
These beneficial mutations are passed on to the next generation. Over time, beneficial mutations
accumulate and the result is an entirely different organism (not just a variation of the original, but an
entirely different creature).
Darwin's Theory of Evolution - Natural Selection
While Darwin's Theory of Evolution is a relatively young archetype, the evolutionary worldview itself is as
old as antiquity. Ancient Greek philosophers such as Anaximander postulated the development of life
from non-life and the evolutionary descent of man from animal. Charles Darwin simply brought something
new to the old philosophy -- a plausible mechanism called "natural selection." Natural selection acts to
preserve and accumulate minor advantageous genetic mutations. Suppose a member of a species
developed a functional advantage (it grew wings and learned to fly). Its offspring would inherit that
advantage and pass it on to their offspring. The inferior (disadvantaged) members of the same species
would gradually die out, leaving only the superior (advantaged) members of the species. Natural selection
is the preservation of a functional advantage that enables a species to compete better in the wild. Natural
selection is the naturalistic equivalent to domestic breeding. Over the centuries, human breeders have
produced dramatic changes in domestic animal populations by selecting individuals to breed. Breeders
eliminate undesirable traits gradually over time. Similarly, natural selection eliminates inferior species
gradually over time.
Darwin's Theory of Evolution - Slowly But Surely...
Darwin's Theory of Evolution is a slow gradual process. Darwin wrote, "…Natural selection acts only by
taking advantage of slight successive variations; she can never take a great and sudden leap, but must
advance by short and sure, though slow steps." [1] Thus, Darwin conceded that, "If it could be
demonstrated that any complex organ existed, which could not possibly have been formed by numerous,
successive, slight modifications, my theory would absolutely break down." [2] Such a complex organ
would be known as an "irreducibly complex system". An irreducibly complex system is one composed of
multiple parts, all of which are necessary for the system to function. If even one part is missing, the entire
system will fail to function. Every individual part is integral. [3] Thus, such a system could not have
evolved slowly, piece by piece. The common mousetrap is an everyday non-biological example of
irreducible complexity. It is composed of five basic parts: a catch (to hold the bait), a powerful spring, a
thin rod called "the hammer," a holding bar to secure the hammer in place, and a platform to mount the
trap. If any one of these parts is missing, the mechanism will not work. Each individual part is integral.
The mousetrap is irreducibly complex. [4]
Darwin's Theory of Evolution - A Theory In Crisis
Darwin's Theory of Evolution is a theory in crisis in light of the tremendous advances we've made in
molecular biology, biochemistry and genetics over the past fifty years. We now know that there are in fact
tens of thousands of irreducibly complex systems on the cellular level. Specified complexity pervades the
microscopic biological world. Molecular biologist Michael Denton wrote, "Although the tiniest bacterial
cells are incredibly small, weighing less than 10-12 grams, each is in effect a veritable micro-miniaturized
factory containing thousands of exquisitely designed pieces of intricate molecular machinery, made up
altogether of one hundred thousand million atoms, far more complicated than any machinery built by man
and absolutely without parallel in the non-living world." [5]
And we don't need a microscope to observe irreducible complexity. The eye, the ear and the heart are all
examples of irreducible complexity, though they were not recognized as such in Darwin's day.
Nevertheless, Darwin confessed, "To suppose that the eye with all its inimitable contrivances for adjusting
the focus to different distances, for admitting different amounts of light, and for the correction of spherical
and chromatic aberration, could have been formed by natural selection, seems, I freely confess, absurd in
the highest degree." [6]
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Footnotes:
1. Charles Darwin, "On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, or the Preservation of
Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life," 1859, p. 162.
2. Ibid. p. 158.
3. Michael Behe, "Darwin's Black Box," 1996.
4. "Unlocking the Mystery of Life," documentary by Illustra Media, 2002.
5. Michael Denton, "Evolution: A Theory in Crisis," 1986, p. 250.
6. Charles Darwin, "On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, or the Preservation of
Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life," 1859, p. 155.