 |
Business | Industries | Finance | Tax |
| Index: > A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z |
|
|||||
| First Prev [ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 ] Next Last |
Main article: Social effect of evolutionary theory
As the scientific explanation of life's diversity has developed, it has displaced the explanations held by a significant portion of humanity. As the theory of evolution includes an explanation of humanity's origins, it has had a profound impact on human societies. Some social conservatives have vigorously opposed acceptance of the scientific explanation due to perceived religious implications.
The theory of evolution by natural selection has also been adopted as a foundation for various ethical systems such as social Darwinism, although scientists emphasize that their work is intended purely as a description of nature. The notion that humans share ancestors with other animals has also impacted how some people view the relationship between humans and other species. The theory has also been incorporated into other fields of knowledge, creating hybrids such as evolutionary psychology and sociobiology.
Main articles: Creationism, Evolutionary creationism, Creation vs. evolution debate
Before Darwin's argument and presentation of the evidence for evolution, religions almost unanimously discounted or condemned any claims that life is the result of an evolutionary process, as did nearly all scientists. Literal, or authoritative, interpretation of most scripture implies that a supreme, presumably supernatural, being directly created humans and other animals as separate species. This view is commonly referred to as creationism, and continues to be defended by some religious groups, especially Christian fundamentalists. Some of those who reject the scientific theory of evolution have proffered what they believe to be physical proof of the impossibility of macroevolution in particular; this viewpoint does not bar the idea of microevolution.
In the United States creationism has a much broader base than only Christian fundamentalists, who are a minority in the American population. A series of polls in 1999 suggested that over half of American voters supported the teaching of creationism in public schools alongside evolution.[1], and in some areas of the United States, creationists have occasionally elected a majority of the state members of school boards and changed rules to give equal time to their views in the science classroom.
Gradually, in response to the arguments, evidence, and wide scientific acceptance for the theory of evolution, some have informally synthesized the scientific and religious viewpoints. They may conclude that God has provided a divine spark to ignite the process of evolution, and possibly guided evolution in one way or another; or that Darwinian evolution is essentially God's default method of creation, perhaps with critical reservations, such as stipulating that human souls are created directly by God. These views fall under the umbrella of "evolutionary creationism."
The claim that life shows evidence of intelligent design is sometimes presented as supporting these views.
| Politics | Business | Finance |
 |
 |
 |
|