I define truth as what I can deduce/induce from data, present in my environment, and gathered thrugh one of my five senses. Note, this does not require direct observation since two primary processes of logic (deduction and induction) are present in the deffinition.
Oh. I have a different definition, I guess, at least when I am discussing science. Truth equals "undeniable fact." Now, I don't mean that all that isn't undeniable fact isn't science, but then I don't equate science and truth, and I don't think that is an incorrect view of science.
The same genetic tests that can link a killer to a crime, or prove that someone is your long lost daughter, can also link us to those animals in the animal kingdom we are more closely related too. As it so happens, we are more closely related to the great apes.
I understood DNA tests to have determined that we share many similarities and differences with the great apes...not that we and they evolved from a common ancestor.
Now, this is all well and good all by it'self, untill you take into account the fact that DNA evidence only began to be widely used about 15-20 years ago. Long before 15-20 years ago, comperative anatomy, fossil evidence, radiometric dating, etc. led us to the SAME conclusion! The implacations are outstanding! DNA corroborates traditional biological sciences used to determine liniage, thereby bolstering it all the more
I know that comparative anatomy proves that many organisms share similarities and differences in anatomy. But does it demonstrate that everything evolved from a common ancestor?
Fossils, like living creatures, do prove that organisms can share many similarities and differences. Fossils also prove that many creatures have died, been preserved, and gone extinct, but do they prove that everthing evolved from a common ancestor?
Radiometric dating proves that various objects have various isotopic ratios...I'm not sure if this has anything to do with whether we all evolved from a common ancestor or not. Even though I'm a YEC, for argument's sake, I'll grant the 3 billion year time frame and that the layers-equal-epochs idea...even granting that; I fail to see how science has proved that all organisms evolved from a common ancestor.
If you consider evolution to be a deduction, we could agree, because that is what I think it is. But since you consider deductions to be truth, I must disagree with you.
--Jason
AbE: if "deduction" should be "induction"...forgive me...I have always mixed up the two terms...and understood them clearly ever only momentarily when examining a dictionary.
This message has been edited by TheLiteralist, 09-01-2005 07:42 AM
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