Difference between revisions of "Evolutionism"
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− | '''Evolutionism''' | + | '''Evolutionism''' refers to doctrines of evolution,<ref>{{cite book |author=Kirkpatrick, E. M.; Davidson, George D.; Seaton, M. A.; Simpson, J. R. |title=Chambers concise 20th century dictionary |publisher=Chambers |location=Edinburgh |year=1985 |pages= |isbn=0-550-10553-0 |oclc= |doi= |accessdate=}}</ref> and more specifically to a widely held 19th century belief that [[organism]]s are intrinsically bound to improve themselves, and that changes are progressive and arise through [[inheritance of acquired characters]], as in [[Lamarckism]]. The belief was extended to include [[cultural evolution]] and [[social evolution]].<ref name="isbn0-550-11000-3">{{cite book |author=Allen, R. T.; Allen, Robert W. |title=Chambers encyclopedic English dictionary |publisher=Chambers |location=Edinburgh |year=1994 |pages= |isbn=0-550-11000-3 |oclc= |doi= |accessdate=}}</ref> The term can be used to refer to acceptance of the [[Modern evolutionary synthesis|modern evolutionary theory]] of biological [[evolution]], and is also used in a broader sense as a world-view covering a wide variety of topics, including chemical evolution as an alternative term for [[abiogenesis]] or for [[nucleosynthesis]] of [[chemical element]]s, [[galaxy formation and evolution]], [[stellar evolution]], [[spiritual evolution]], [[technological evolution]] and [[universal evolution]] which seeks to explain every aspect of this world in which we live.<ref name="urlEvolutionism">{{cite web |url=http://www.allaboutphilosophy.org/evolutionism.htm |title=Evolutionism |author= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date=2002–2008 |format= |work= |publisher=AllAboutGOD.com, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80949 |accessdate=2008-12-05}}</ref> |
− | + | In the [[creation-evolution controversy]], those who accept the [[scientific theory]] of biological [[evolution]] by [[natural selection]] or [[genetic drift]] are often called "evolutionists", and the theory of evolution itself is referred to as "evolutionism" by [[creationism|creationists]] who portray it as a kind of secular religion.<ref name=Ruse>{{cite web |url=http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/299/5612/1523 |title=PERCEPTIONS IN SCIENCE: Is Evolution a Secular Religion? -- Ruse |author=Michael Ruse |authorlink=Michael Ruse |date=March 2003 |work= |publisher=[[Science (journal)|Science]] |pages=299 (5612): 1523 |accessdate=2008-12-05}}</ref> This term is used to suggest that evolution is an [[ideology]] such as creationism and other "[[-ism]]s", particularly [[atheism]].<ref name=ICRMuseum>{{cite web |url=http://www.talkorigins.org/faqs/icr-visit/linke.html |title=A Visit to the ICR Museum |author=Steven Linke |date=August 28, 1992 |publisher=[[TalkOrigins Archive]]|quote=In fact, true science supports the Biblical worldview... However, science does not support false religions (e.g. atheism, evolutionism, pantheism, humanism, etc.) |accessdate=2008-12-05}}</ref> In this way, creationists support their claim that the scientific theory of evolution is in its basics a belief, dogma, ideology or even a religion, rather than a scientific theory. The basis of this argument is to establish that the creation-evolution controversy is essentially one of interpretation of evidence, without any overwhelming proof (beyond current scientific theories) on either side. Creationists tend to use the term evolutionism in order to suggest that the theory of evolution and creationism are equal in a philosophical debate.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.talkorigins.org/origins/postmonth/jul03.html |title=The Talk.Origins Archive Post of the Month: July 2003 |author=Louann Miller |accessdate=2008-12-05}}</ref> The terms "evolutionism" and "evolutionist" are rarely used in the [[scientific community]] as self-descriptive terms. | |
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− | + | "Evolutionism" is defined by the [[Oxford English Dictionary|OED]] as "the [[theory of evolution]], evolutionary assumptions or principles". | |
− | [[ | + | |
− | == | + | ==Development of usage== |
− | + | Anthropologists and biologists refer to "evolutionists" in the 19th century as those who believed that the cultures or life forms being studied are evolving to a ''particular'' form (see [[Platonic form]]). Very few scientists today, if any, believe that evolution in culture or biology works that way, and serious discussions generally take caution to distance themselves from that perspective. | |
− | + | Evolutionary biology explains biotic changes in terms of internal processes and gradual development as a natural progression of previously existing lifeforms. Evolution neither denies nor requires a role for [[divine intervention]]. Before the 19th century there were a number of hypotheses regarding the evolution of all material phenomena: suns, moons, planets, earth, life, civilization, and society. The number of hypotheses being propounded increased dramatically in the middle of the 19th century. | |
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− | + | In modern times, the term ''[[evolution]]'' is widely used, but the terms ''evolutionism'' and ''evolutionist'' are rarely used in scientific circles to refer to the biological discipline. The term evolution was popularised during the 19th century by [[Herbert Spencer]] to mean [[cultural evolution]]; i.e. the increasing [[complexity]] of cultures (see [[Cultural evolution#History of the theory of cultural evolution|History of the theory of cultural evolution]]) — it was only later that it acquired its [[evolution|biological meaning]]. Advocacy of such theory was called evolutionism. | |
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− | + | Most scientists object to the terms ''evolutionism'' and ''evolutionist''{{Fact|date=October 2008}} because the -ism and -ist suffixes accentuate [[belief]] rather than scientific study. Conversely, [[creationists]] use those same two terms partly because the terms accentuate belief, and partly perhaps because they provide a way to package their opposition into one group, seemingly atheist and materialist, designations which are considered to be irrelevant to [[natural science]]. | |
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− | + | ==See also== | |
− | * | + | * [[Darwinism]] |
− | * | + | * [[Scientism]] |
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− | == | + | ==Notes== |
− | + | {{reflist}} | |
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==References== | ==References== | ||
− | {{ | + | * Carneiro, Robert, ''Evolutionism in Cultural Anthropology: A Critical History'' ISBN 0-8133-3766-6 |
+ | * {{cite book |title=World Religions and Social Evolution of the Old World Oikumene Civilizations: A Cross-cultural Perspective |edition=First Edition |last=Korotayev |first=Andrey | authorlink=Andrey Korotayev |publisher=Edwin Mellen Press |location=Lewiston, New York |year=2004 |isbn=0-7734-6310-0}} (on the applicability of this notion to the study of [[social evolution]]). | ||
+ | * Review of ''[[William Buckland|Buckland's]] [[Bridgewater Treatise]]'', ''The Times'' Tuesday, [[November 15]], [[1836]]; pg. 3; Issue 16261; col E. ("annihilates the doctrine of spontaneous and progressive evolution of life, and its impious corollary, chance") | ||
+ | * Review of [[Charles Darwin]]'s ''The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals'' ''The Times'' Friday, [[December 13]], [[1872]]; pg. 4; Issue 27559; col A. ("His [Darwin's] thorough-going 'evolutionism' tends to eliminate . . . .") | ||
+ | * Ruse, Michael. 2003. ''[http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/299/5612/1523 Is Evolution a Secular Religion?]'' Science 299:1523-1524 (concluding that [[evolutionary biology]] is not a religion in any sense but noting that several evolutionary biologists, such as [[Edward O. Wilson]], in their roles as citizens concerned about getting the public to deal with reality, have made statements like "evolution is a [[Mythology|myth]] that is now ready to take over [[Christianity]]"). | ||
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
− | + | * [http://www.ncseweb.org/ National Center for Science Education] - The [[National Center for Science Education]] | |
− | + | * [http://www.gate.net/~rwms/EvoEvidence.html Evidence for evolution] | |
− | + | * [http://www.evolutionpages.com/Writing.htm Evolution pages] | |
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− | + | [[Category:Anthropology]] | |
− | + | [[Category:Evolution]] | |
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− | [[ | + | [[cs:Evolucionismus]] |
+ | [[da:Evolutionisme]] | ||
+ | [[nl:Evolutionisme]] | ||
+ | [[ja:進化主義]] | ||
+ | [[pl:Ewolucjonizm]] | ||
+ | [[sr:Еволуционизам]] |
Revision as of 12:36, December 27, 2008
Evolutionism refers to doctrines of evolution,[1] and more specifically to a widely held 19th century belief that organisms are intrinsically bound to improve themselves, and that changes are progressive and arise through inheritance of acquired characters, as in Lamarckism. The belief was extended to include cultural evolution and social evolution.[2] The term can be used to refer to acceptance of the modern evolutionary theory of biological evolution, and is also used in a broader sense as a world-view covering a wide variety of topics, including chemical evolution as an alternative term for abiogenesis or for nucleosynthesis of chemical elements, galaxy formation and evolution, stellar evolution, spiritual evolution, technological evolution and universal evolution which seeks to explain every aspect of this world in which we live.[3]
In the creation-evolution controversy, those who accept the scientific theory of biological evolution by natural selection or genetic drift are often called "evolutionists", and the theory of evolution itself is referred to as "evolutionism" by creationists who portray it as a kind of secular religion.[4] This term is used to suggest that evolution is an ideology such as creationism and other "-isms", particularly atheism.[5] In this way, creationists support their claim that the scientific theory of evolution is in its basics a belief, dogma, ideology or even a religion, rather than a scientific theory. The basis of this argument is to establish that the creation-evolution controversy is essentially one of interpretation of evidence, without any overwhelming proof (beyond current scientific theories) on either side. Creationists tend to use the term evolutionism in order to suggest that the theory of evolution and creationism are equal in a philosophical debate.[6] The terms "evolutionism" and "evolutionist" are rarely used in the scientific community as self-descriptive terms.
"Evolutionism" is defined by the OED as "the theory of evolution, evolutionary assumptions or principles".
Development of usage
Anthropologists and biologists refer to "evolutionists" in the 19th century as those who believed that the cultures or life forms being studied are evolving to a particular form (see Platonic form). Very few scientists today, if any, believe that evolution in culture or biology works that way, and serious discussions generally take caution to distance themselves from that perspective.
Evolutionary biology explains biotic changes in terms of internal processes and gradual development as a natural progression of previously existing lifeforms. Evolution neither denies nor requires a role for divine intervention. Before the 19th century there were a number of hypotheses regarding the evolution of all material phenomena: suns, moons, planets, earth, life, civilization, and society. The number of hypotheses being propounded increased dramatically in the middle of the 19th century.
In modern times, the term evolution is widely used, but the terms evolutionism and evolutionist are rarely used in scientific circles to refer to the biological discipline. The term evolution was popularised during the 19th century by Herbert Spencer to mean cultural evolution; i.e. the increasing complexity of cultures (see History of the theory of cultural evolution) — it was only later that it acquired its biological meaning. Advocacy of such theory was called evolutionism.
Most scientists object to the terms evolutionism and evolutionist[Citation Needed] because the -ism and -ist suffixes accentuate belief rather than scientific study. Conversely, creationists use those same two terms partly because the terms accentuate belief, and partly perhaps because they provide a way to package their opposition into one group, seemingly atheist and materialist, designations which are considered to be irrelevant to natural science.
See also
Notes
- ↑ Kirkpatrick, E. M.; Davidson, George D.; Seaton, M. A.; Simpson, J. R. (1985). Chambers concise 20th century dictionary. Edinburgh: Chambers. ISBN 0-550-10553-0.
- ↑ Allen, R. T.; Allen, Robert W. (1994). Chambers encyclopedic English dictionary. Edinburgh: Chambers. ISBN 0-550-11000-3.
- ↑ Evolutionism. AllAboutGOD.com, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80949 (2002–2008). Retrieved on 2008-12-05.
- ↑ Michael Ruse (March 2003). PERCEPTIONS IN SCIENCE: Is Evolution a Secular Religion? -- Ruse 299 (5612): 1523. Science. Retrieved on 2008-12-05.
- ↑ Steven Linke (August 28, 1992). A Visit to the ICR Museum. TalkOrigins Archive. Retrieved on 2008-12-05. “In fact, true science supports the Biblical worldview... However, science does not support false religions (e.g. atheism, evolutionism, pantheism, humanism, etc.)”
- ↑ Louann Miller. The Talk.Origins Archive Post of the Month: July 2003. Retrieved on 2008-12-05.
References
- Carneiro, Robert, Evolutionism in Cultural Anthropology: A Critical History ISBN 0-8133-3766-6
Korotayev, Andrey (2004). World Religions and Social Evolution of the Old World Oikumene Civilizations: A Cross-cultural Perspective, First Edition, Lewiston, New York: Edwin Mellen Press. ISBN 0-7734-6310-0. (on the applicability of this notion to the study of social evolution).
- Review of Buckland's Bridgewater Treatise, The Times Tuesday, November 15, 1836; pg. 3; Issue 16261; col E. ("annihilates the doctrine of spontaneous and progressive evolution of life, and its impious corollary, chance")
- Review of Charles Darwin's The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals The Times Friday, December 13, 1872; pg. 4; Issue 27559; col A. ("His [Darwin's] thorough-going 'evolutionism' tends to eliminate . . . .")
- Ruse, Michael. 2003. Is Evolution a Secular Religion? Science 299:1523-1524 (concluding that evolutionary biology is not a religion in any sense but noting that several evolutionary biologists, such as Edward O. Wilson, in their roles as citizens concerned about getting the public to deal with reality, have made statements like "evolution is a myth that is now ready to take over Christianity").
External links
- National Center for Science Education - The National Center for Science Education
- Evidence for evolution
- Evolution pagescs:Evolucionismus
da:Evolutionisme nl:Evolutionisme ja:進化主義 pl:Ewolucjonizm sr:Еволуционизам