observation.
3. Use the hypothesis to make predictions.
4. Test those predictions by experiments or further observations and modify the hypothesis in the light of your results.
5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 until there are no discrepancies between theory and experiment and/or observation. (A hypothesis becomes a theory when there is consistency).
Darwin observed variations within species. He also observed that some species were interdependent. For example, clover needs bees. He also observed that fossils were found in different strata with the simpler animals and plants being lower down.
From this he concluded that every animal and plant that now exists had come from a less developed common ancestor and had developed to their present state through mutation and natural selection (evolution). He didn’t know about genetics and DNA and, as we shall see, how impossible evolution by mutation was.
If he were employing the scientific method he would have gone to step 4 above and made further observations. He did make a great deal of observations and the calibre of his raw data is excellent. That’s not the problem. His conclusions go beyond his observations.
He concluded that evolution had happened though he had no observations to support this. He had not observed a gradual evolution of one species to another in the fossil record. The lack of fossil evidence for transitions and consequent missing links bothered him and he says so.
However, he contented himself with the consolation that they had not been found yet and all would be well when more fossils had been unearthed. Quite an optimist, but it’s not science! It’s as well to note that the language and the
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