Question

How is evolution both a fact and a theory?

Answer 1

Hint: Theory is when there is a proposed hypothesis and no one can find any fatal flaw in it which means that it is not falsified. When something is proved to be absolutely true then it is called as a fact.

Complete answer: Stephen Jay Gould, a paleontologist, in 1981 titled an article as “Evolution as Fact and Theory” and other than him many other scientists have also described evolution as fact and theory.
For experimental or empirical data or objective verifiable observations scientists use the term fact and it can be described in a simple way as any theory which has overwhelming evidence in its favour. As there is overwhelming evidence in favour of evolution therefore we say that it is a fact. It is an undisputed fact that evolution has occurred and is still occurring.
A simple conjecture or an opinion or a speculation that does not have to be based on any fact and can also be said to be a guesswork. However the definition of theory is more rigorous according to science. Darwin published his evidence regarding evolution and his theory in his book ‘Origin of Species’ 1859. Darwin had proposed 5 separate theories.
‘Darwin finally and definitely established evolution as a fact’ was said by an American zoologist and paleontologist George Gaylord Simpson. Julian Huxley, a biologist, has said that evolution is both fact and theory. Therefore we find many scientists in favour of it and many just believing it to be only one of the two.

Note: Changes that occur over time is referred to as evolution. In the context of biology, the observed changes in an organism is termed as evolution. Accumulation and testing of the evidence for evolution continues to be done.