The Evidence
Scientific theories that advance knowledge demand evidence. Evidence is the relevant information that is presented in theory. Evidence is publicly verifiable, reproducible, and references facts and observations to inform scientists (and convince others) which theories are probably true. There are various measures, philosophical approaches, and tests to convey on the likelihood or degree of support that the evidence conveys about a particular inference. Evidence is relevant to an inference if it impinges on the conclusion. It is rational and logical to believe in or accept a conclusion if all available relevant evidence is considered in and supported by the theory. Theories are answerable to the evidence. Evidence comes in many forms, stems from diverse methods, and is itself also related to inference and theories. Moreover, "the connection between theory and evidence in all of modern science is indirect, relying on many layers of intermediary theories and auxiliary hypotheses." In this regard, there is a great wealth of evidence supporting evolutionary theory, including formal tests of the evidence pointing to conclusions that are based on the common ancestry of life.
Read more about this topic: Evolution As Fact And Theory
Famous quotes containing the word evidence:
“You don’t decide to build a church because you have money in the bank. You build because God says this is what I should do. Faith is the supplier of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen.”
—Jim Bakker (b. 1940)
“There is evidence that all too many people are approaching parenthood with a dangerous lack of knowledge and skill. The result is that many children are losing out on what ought to be an undeniable right—the right to have parents who know how to be good parents, parents skilled in the art of “parenting.””
—T. H. Bell (20th century)