This chapter briefly describes the history and nature of modern science and explains the meaning of a scientific theory. It describes the major well-known scientific theories such as the Copernican theory of the solar system, Dalton’s atomic theory, and Einstein’s theories of relativity. It goes on to show how and why Darwin’s “Theory of Evolution by Means of Natural Selection” fits into this pantheon of scientific theories and states, like those aforementioned theories, it has been built upon with new data and more sophisticated ideas, but it has never been scientifically refuted. It then takes the major creationist creeds to task by pointing out that none of the creationist arguments described in Chaps. 9 and 10 scientifically refute the theory of evolution. Rather, they employ logical fallacies to make their arguments. These include “Straw Man” and “Red Herring” arguments that logically simplify the ideas of evolution to argue against them (Straw Man) or create distractions away from the scientific discourse (Red Herring).

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Do Straw Men Evolve from Red Herrings?

  • Vincent M. Cassone

摘要

This chapter briefly describes the history and nature of modern science and explains the meaning of a scientific theory. It describes the major well-known scientific theories such as the Copernican theory of the solar system, Dalton’s atomic theory, and Einstein’s theories of relativity. It goes on to show how and why Darwin’s “Theory of Evolution by Means of Natural Selection” fits into this pantheon of scientific theories and states, like those aforementioned theories, it has been built upon with new data and more sophisticated ideas, but it has never been scientifically refuted. It then takes the major creationist creeds to task by pointing out that none of the creationist arguments described in Chaps. 9 and 10 scientifically refute the theory of evolution. Rather, they employ logical fallacies to make their arguments. These include “Straw Man” and “Red Herring” arguments that logically simplify the ideas of evolution to argue against them (Straw Man) or create distractions away from the scientific discourse (Red Herring).