Читать книгу The Handy Psychology Answer Book - Lisa J. Cohen - Страница 180

The theory of evolution is the grand biological theory that explains the origin and development of all living beings. Every culture on earth has some conception of how life on earth was created. For example, the ancient Greeks believed that the earth and sky were created by a primordial goddess, who rose out of the void called Chaos. After dividing the earth from the sky, she created swirling winds by dancing on the waves of the ocean. This gave rise to a giant serpent, who then fertilized her, setting in motion the rest of creation.

The theory of evolution, however, is the only scientific theory of the development of living beings. The theory of evolution states that species change over time as they adapt to their environment. Traits that help the individual organism successfully adapt to the environment increase the likelihood that the organism will grow to maturity and pass on these traits to the next generation. Importantly, this theory does not explain how life started in the first place but rather, once life began, how every living being has come to have the shape and form that it has now.

Why is the theory of evolution called a theory?

Even though an enormous body of scientific evidence supports the theory of evolution, it is still called a theory. This is because a scientific theory is based on evidence. Therefore, as new evidence comes in, the theory continues to be modified.