Evolutionism

Evolutionism is any one of a number of theories that the form and nature of living things that exist at a given time are natural (unplanned) outgrowths of those that existed before, and the first living things arose by random events in an abiotic world. By "nature" one means the biochemistry, histology, genetic complement, etc. An evolutionist is a proponent of evolutionism.

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Care must be taken, however, to distinguish this current definition with one which has been used in the past. Anthropologists and Biologists will refer to "Evolutionists" in the 19th century as those who believe that the cultures or life forms being studied are evolving to a particular form. (see Platonic Form). Very few scientists today, if any, believe that evolution in culture or biology works that way, and serious discussions generally take caution to distance themselves from that perspective.

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Since evolutionism explains changes in terms of internal processes and gradual development, generally such theories have no role for divine intervention. Even before the 19th century, there were a few theories about the evolution of everything material: suns, moons, planets, earth, life, civilization, and society--all without divine intervention. The number of theories being propounded increased dramatically in the middle of the 19th century.

Related Topics:
Divine intervention

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In modern times, the term evolution is widely used, but the terms evolutionism and evolutionist are rarely used in scientific circles. However, all three of these terms are commonly used by anthropologists, sociologists, and other scholars outside the physical and life sciences; these terms are used to refer to theories about the development of cultures and civilisations.

Related Topics:
Evolution - Anthropologists - Sociologists - Physical - Life science - Culture - Civilisation

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Scientists object to the terms evolutionism and evolutionist because the -ism and -ist suffixes accentuate belief rather than fact. Conversely, creationists use those same two terms partly because the terms accentuate belief, and partly perhaps because they provide a way to package their opposition into one group, seemingly atheist and materialist, designations under which many scientists would not like to be cast. Thereby the creationists deride the scientists' theories as mere belief that ignores divine intervention, contrary to what creationists think is common sense.

Related Topics:
-ism - Belief - Fact - Creationists - Divine intervention - Common sense

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