To be clear, evolution is not a theory.
Evolution - that is, the change in gene frequencies within a population over time, leading ultimately to diversification and production of new species - is a factual and observable natural phenomenon.
The modern synthesis is a theory which explains how evolution occurs, primarily via a mechanism known as natural selection.
The fact is like saying that a pen will fall to the ground when released from a height. Gene frequencies do change, and new species do form from isolated populations of a single parent species. But when we try to explain why the pen falls to the ground, we fall into the realm of theory. We have a hypothesis which attempts to answer a question and we test it with an experiment to determine whether or not our hypothesis was correct. After the experiment, we are left with more questions which lead to more hypotheses and more experiments. Given enough experiments, we have enough accurately answered questions to form a theoretical model of a natural phenomenon such as gravity or evolution, and from this model we can form predictions of how the phenomenon will occur in the future. If the predictions match the reality of the way things occur, then the model is supported and no immediate changes are necessary. If the model doesn't accurately predict new natural evidence, then the model must be refined.
At no point does the existence or non-existence of a theory explaining a natural phenomenon change that we know for a fact that the phenomenon occurs.
Also, calling something a theory does not mean it is not well tested and supported by fact. Quite the contrary, nothing can be elevated to the level of theory without being a fairly accurate predictor of actual fact.
Evolution - that is, the change in gene frequencies within a population over time, leading ultimately to diversification and production of new species - is a factual and observable natural phenomenon.
The modern synthesis is a theory which explains how evolution occurs, primarily via a mechanism known as natural selection.
The fact is like saying that a pen will fall to the ground when released from a height. Gene frequencies do change, and new species do form from isolated populations of a single parent species. But when we try to explain why the pen falls to the ground, we fall into the realm of theory. We have a hypothesis which attempts to answer a question and we test it with an experiment to determine whether or not our hypothesis was correct. After the experiment, we are left with more questions which lead to more hypotheses and more experiments. Given enough experiments, we have enough accurately answered questions to form a theoretical model of a natural phenomenon such as gravity or evolution, and from this model we can form predictions of how the phenomenon will occur in the future. If the predictions match the reality of the way things occur, then the model is supported and no immediate changes are necessary. If the model doesn't accurately predict new natural evidence, then the model must be refined.
At no point does the existence or non-existence of a theory explaining a natural phenomenon change that we know for a fact that the phenomenon occurs.
Also, calling something a theory does not mean it is not well tested and supported by fact. Quite the contrary, nothing can be elevated to the level of theory without being a fairly accurate predictor of actual fact.
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Yes. In science, the word "theory" is a technical term, meaning an organized body of knowledge that includes principles that explain a set of observations. It's shorter than saying "the accepted explanation for the observed facts of evolution".
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Yep, and probably always will be, since "A theory in technical use is a more or less verified or established explanation accounting for known facts or phenomena: the theory of relativity".
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EVERYTHING in science (that has any explanatory power) is a theory.
So the phrase "still a theory" is like asking if the tree in your back yard is "still a plant."
So the phrase "still a theory" is like asking if the tree in your back yard is "still a plant."
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Of course it is - ALL of science is cast into one theory or another.
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not a theory i transform into a bat at midnight
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AWWW YEAAAH!!!1