Scientific Knowledge of the Past Is Possible: Confronting Myths About Evolution & Scientific Methods

What is it about?

Creationists frequently challenge the status of evolutionary biology as science based on the fact that it deals with unrepeatable past events. Acceptance of this myth stems from a common misconception that is rooted in classroom and textbook portrayals of a universal scientific method involving the manipulation of variables during a control experiment. This paper challenges this misconception about historical sciences by describing Darwin’s methods for reconstructing evolutionary history. Reconstruction of a past event involves forming a coherent narrative that explains all of the available empirical evidence related to that event. When evidence from multiple independent inquiries all converge on a common narrative explanation, we move beyond coincidence to confidence in our understanding of the past. Textbooks should more accurately portray the diversity of methods scientists employ in their investigations, including methods for reconstructing past events.

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Why is it important?

Understanding evolution is central to understanding biology and an understanding of biology is important for effective citizenship.