Vashgun in the O.P. writes:
I am unhappy with the results of the last thread for the definition of evolution. Which seemed to be from RAZD
There's a lot of talking (or typing) at cross purposes going on in this thread. One of the main problems is that RAZD's thread, the one that Vashgun is referring to above, was titled "Definition for the Theory of Evolution", whereas this thread is titled "Definition of Evolution." The two aren't the same thing.
I've just noticed that RAZD has already pointed this out to Vashgun in message 77:
RAZD writes:
...(which was from the thread on the definition of the theory of evolution, not the definition of evolution, btw - which is why you were off topic on the original thread):
I think this needs explaining further.
Vashgun, defining a theory is really just a matter of deciding what's the best way to express it in language. It has nothing to do with whether we think the theory is a good one or not. For example, take the Steady State theory of the universe. Modern physicists, with their "Big Bang" theories, are not disagreeing on the definition of the S. S. theory with Steady State supporters, they just think the theory (not the definition) is wrong.
If you wanted to define your own Creation Theory, I'm not going to disagree with your definition. You might choose to say something like "The Universe was created by God in accordance with the account in the Bible." You might have some discussion with other young earthers about the best way of expressing your general theory. So you could start a thread, just like RAZD's, titled "Definition of the Theory of Creationism". Defining all of the origins theories and beliefs is useful to us all in debate, so that we know exactly what we're arguing for or against.
If evolutionists posted on your YEC "definition of the theory" thread saying that they disagreed with the theory as expressed by any of your chosen definitions, they would be off topic and their comments would be irrelevant. They can do that elsewhere.
The title of your thread here, "Definition of Evolution" just requires a definition of biological evolution, and several people have already suggested perfectly adequate definitions which have nothing to do with anyone's theories, and fit with them all.
The definition of a phenomenon is a completely different thing from the definition of any theory concerning that phenomenon.
Edited by bluegenes, : No reason given.