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Evolution Chapter 16 Darwins Theory of Evolution Chapter 17 Evolution of Populations Chapter 18 Classification Slide 2 Evolution Darwins Theory of Evolution Chapter 15 Slide 3 Slide 4 Overview Theodosius Debzhansky, Russian Geneticist Nothing in biology makes sense, except in the light of evolution. What do you suppose he means by that? Slide 5 Overview Theodosius Debzhansky Nothing in biology makes sense, except in the light of evolution. Evolution establishes a mechanism the explain the descent of todays millions of species from common ancestors Evolution explains how existing species can change now and how new species can arise Evolution explains the biodiversity we see today Slide 6 Overview The question biology must answer: How did 5 to 10 million, and maybe as high as 100 million, species here today arise? How is it that millions of species share common body plans? Slide 7 Overview Before we start with the content of Chapter 15, we need to set a foundation with three short topics 1.Essential scientific vocabulary 2.Relevance to today 3.The Catholic Churchs view of the theory of evolution Slide 8 Essential Scientific Vocabulary Fact natural phenomenon repeatedly confirmed by observation. Hypothesis - An explanation of one or more phenomena in nature that can be tested by observations, experiments, or both. A prediction that can be tested. To be considered scientific, a hypothesis must be falsifiable, meaning it can be proven to be incorrect. Slide 9 Essential Scientific Vocabulary Science Develops explanations of the world by gathering evidence data. Data Evidence is gathered by observation and experimentation that can be repeated by others. Explanations hypothesis that continue to be supported by evidence are kept. Hypothesis not supported by new evidence are discarded. Science is not a system of beliefs. Slide 10 Essential Scientific Vocabulary Theory well supported, often tested explanation of phenomena that have occurred in the natural world. Law Description of how a natural phenomenon will occur under certain circumstances. Slide 11 Essential Scientific Vocabulary Theory may be defined by the nonscientific as. Speculation, guess, conjecture.. Theory is defined by science as well supported, often tested explanation of phenomena that have occurred in the natural world. Slide 12 Essential Scientific Vocabulary Evolution Change over time, process by which modern organisms have descended from ancient organisms. Darwin coined this phrase to define evolution descent with modification process of change by which new species develop from preexisting species over time. Slide 13 Essential Scientific Vocabulary Evolution That change in organisms results from genetic mutations and natural selection Once the change is genetic, that change will pass from one generation to the next, and the next Slide 14 Evolution isnt just a theory. Everyday use of the word theory has a different meaning than the meaning used by science. It is well supported by evidence and has not failed a test. Click on image to reach a six minute narrated video. Choose Quicktime http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/evolution/library/11/2/e_s_1.html Slide 15 Slide 16 The Catholic View What do you think? Does the Catholic Church accept the theory of evolution by means of natural selection? Slide 17 Why is evolution so controversial? The Catholic View Slide 18 Is the Theory of Evolution a threat to religious faith? Can religious concepts be treated as science? The Catholic View Slide 19 Evolution Dr. Kenneth Miller and The Colbert Report http://www.millerandlevine.com/talks/colbert.html Slide 20 The Catholic View Faith - Belief in an idea even in the absence of evidence. Requires no testing or experimentation. Uses a different path to understanding. Lets look at home a scientist, who is also a Catholic, views evolution and theology. Slide 21 Francisco J. Ayala, professor of biological sciences and of philosophy at the University of California, Irvine. science is a very successful way of knowing, but not the only way. We acquire knowledge in many other ways, such as through literature, the arts, philosophical reflection, and religious experience. A scientific view of the world is hopelessly incomplete. Science seeks material explanations for material processes, but it has nothing definitive to say about realities beyond its scope. Once science has had its say, there remain questions of value, purpose, and meaning that are forever beyond science's domain, but belong in the realm of philosophical reflection and religious experience. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/evolution/religion/faith/statement_01.html Slide 22 The Catholic View From the 2004 document from the Vatican's International Theological Commission, which accepts, with Pope John Paul II, "New knowledge," he said, "leads to the recognition of the theory of evolution as more than a hypothesis. It is indeed remarkable that this theory has been progressively accepted by researchers following a series of discoveries in various fields of knowledge. Slide 23