Evidence for Evolution – Is There Evidence for Evolution?
In debates over evolution and creationism, it is common for creationists’ to demand for “proof” of evolution (common descent). Science doesn’t deal in absolute proofs, though. Scientific theories are provisional and are supported by evidence or data. Proof in science is not the same as proof in mathematics; in science, proof is gradually achieved through the accumulation of evidence which is best explained by one idea or set of ideas. This is what we have with evolution.1. Direct Evidence for Evolutionary TheoryThe direct evidence for common descent and evolution are enabling evidences. They demonstrate that common descent is possible and maybe even likely. However, they don’t conclusively show that common descent occurred because no one was actually there to observe it over such a long period of time (the same problem that exists when
