Evolutionism

This article is about the term. For the field/s of study, see Evolutionary biology § Subfields.
Monochrome photo of Charles Darwin, he appears to be an older middle aged man with a neutral expression, light skin, wrinkles under his deep set but fairly wide open eyes, and a chest length white beard extending up to his temples. He is wearing a hat with a rounded top, a medium width brim and a cloth band, his shoulders which are the only part of his body beyond head in frame seem are covered by a dark, apparently black, top of unclear cut. The background behind him is non-descript, possibly a plaster wall
Charles Darwin, whose On the Origin of Species introduced the theory of evolution to society at large, photographed in 1881

Evolutionism is a term used (often derogatorily) to denote the theory of evolution. Its exact meaning has changed over time as the study of evolution has progressed. In the 19th century, it was used to describe the belief that organisms deliberately improved themselves through progressive inherited change (orthogenesis).[1][2] The teleological belief went on to include cultural evolution and social evolution.[1] In the 1970s, the term "Neo-Evolutionism" was used to describe the idea that "human beings sought to preserve a familiar style of life unless change was forced on them by factors that were beyond their control."[3]

The term is most often used by creationists to describe adherence to the scientific consensus on evolution as equivalent to a secular religion.[4] The term is very seldom used within the scientific community, since the scientific position on evolution is accepted by the overwhelming majority of scientists.[5] Because evolutionary biology is the default scientific position, it is assumed that "scientists" or "biologists" are "evolutionists" unless specifically noted otherwise.[6] In the creation–evolution controversy, creationists often call those who accept the validity of the modern evolutionary synthesis "evolutionists" and the theory itself "evolutionism".

  1. ^ a b Allen, R. T.; Allen, Robert W. (1994). Chambers encyclopedic English dictionary. Edinburgh: Chambers. p. 438. ISBN 978-0-550-11000-8. a widely held 19c belief that organisms were intrinsically bound to improve themselves, that changes were progressive, and that acquired characters could be transmitted genetically. The belief was also extended to cultures and societies, and to living organisms.
  2. ^ Carneiro, Robert, L. (2003). Evolutionism in cultural anthropology : a critical history. Cambridge, MA: Westview Press. pp. 2–3. ISBN 978-0-8133-3766-1.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  3. ^ Trigger, Bruce (1986) A History of Archeological Thought Cambridge University Press pg 290
  4. ^ Ruse, Michael (March 2003). "Perceptions in science: Is Evolution a Secular Religion? -- Ruse". Science: 299 (5612): 1523. Retrieved 2008-12-05. A major complaint of the Creationists, those who are committed to a Genesis-based story of origins, is that evolution--and Darwinism in particular--is more than just a scientific theory. They object that too often evolution operates as a kind of secular religion, pushing norms and proposals for proper (or, in their opinion, improper) action.
  5. ^ "Nearly all scientists (97%) say humans and other living things have evolved over time", Public Praises Science; Scientists Fault Public, Media Archived 2009-11-08 at the Wayback Machine, Pew Research Center, 9 July 2009
  6. ^ Gough, J. B. (1983). "The Supposed Dichotomy between Creationism and Evolution". National Center for Science Education. Retrieved 2009-09-24. "...to say a person is a scientist encompasses the fact that he or she is an evolutionist."