Evolution: is it necessary to know how life ultimately began in order to study and debate the evidence that evolution has since occurred? [Spirituality & Religion]
If you think it is, why do you think so? Can you explain that reasoning for me?
I ask because i've encountered a creationist's position that the evidence for evolution can be ignored if we don't know how life began. I point out that the theory of gravitation still allows us to study the interactions of matter without knowing how it came to be but this apt comparison appears to be ignored.
Since i've received no explanation from the parties involved, i'm coming to YOU! So. Thoughts?馃檪
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No actually you don't need to know. To see evidence of evolution.
But if i had to play devil's advocate, i would tell you that its necessary because that mechanism plays a role in how life has change. We need to know its origin to understand the big picture.
But, considering that they went silent on this fact, and it offers a convenient way to ignore all of evolution as a "arguement" id say they have no idea and used it as a scapegoat to end the conversation.
I think i see what you're saying, but i still don't think it works. Even if that prime mechanism influences how life changes, you can still observe the changes without knowing the mechanism.
