The Most Basic Misconception About Evolution

There are more misconceptions about evolution than there are about almost any other theory. This is probably because, while most theories are left to scientists, evolution is relevant to everyone, whether because they wish to understand their origins or because their religious organization vehemently disagrees with it. This article will not argue the validity of evolution, it will merely clarify the misconceptions surrounding it's theory.

Evolution is Just a Theory
Many people will dismiss the importance of evolution within the scientific community because it's "just" a theory. Completely ignoring what a theory means in the general public, saying evolution is just a theory creates a misconception that scientists do not take the matter seriously or that it does not have a strong standing among professionals. Nothing could be more untrue.

Scientists Use The Word "Theory" Differently
Sometimes when we have an idea, we say we have a theory. But there is a huge misconception about the real meaning of the word. Though we may use the word casually, the scientific community reserves the word "theory" for things almost everyone agrees upon. There needs to be a multitude of evidence and peer review and a wide and lengthy discussion about the matter. Usually this takes at least years. The misconception of a theory's prestige is the main reason some don't take the theory of evolution seriously, as a topic discussed and studied among scientists.

Evolution Has As Much Prestige As Gravity
Gravity is a theory. Though we don't know why gravity exists, we have equations that can calculate and predict the planet's relationships with one another, as well as how fast an object with a given mass or height will fall. Most importantly, gravity has incredibly solid standing within the scientific community. In science, nothing is ever thought to be "proven", but gravity is one of the closest examples scientists have to thinking something is correct.

Why? Because gravity is a theory. In the scientific community, evolution has as much prestige as gravity. It's a misconception of how theories are regarded in general that allows others to dismiss the importance of evolution. Now, you can argue whether or not you believe in gravity, or the way gravity is described, and no one will stop you. This does not change how the vast majority of scientists feel about gravity, and about evolution.

WORKS CITED
"Misconceptions about Evolution." Understanding Evolution . Berkeley College. Web. 06 Feb. 2012. http://evolution.berkeley.edu/evolibrary/misconceptions_faq.php.