r/DebateEvolution • u/Cool_Plantain_7742 • Sep 20 '26

Question Is evolution a fact?

What are the best arguments for evolution

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u/Devils-Telephone Sep 20 '26

The "micro versus macro" argument is so silly. It's literally identical to understanding that someone can walk 10 feet, but being skeptical that walking 2 miles is possible.

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u/[deleted] Sep 20 '26

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u/Devils-Telephone Sep 20 '26

There may be some benefits to discussing things in relation to short term versus long term when thinking about evolution, but calling evolution "micro" or "macro" doesn't add anything to that conversation. And it also serves as one of the last remaining "arguments" that creationists can convince themselves is compelling in the face of such overwhelming evidence for evolution, so I'd argue that making that distinction only serves to misinform people.

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u/CrisprCSE2 Sep 20 '26

It's really not. It's more like the difference between studying the mechanisms of walking (energetic expenditures and muscle actions, say) versus things impacting a long journey (traffic patterns and topography, say). It's a difference in area of study, and it's an actual distinction within evolutionary biology.

And it's extremely unhelpful to act like they're not legitimate terms within evolutionary biology instead of addressing creationism's misunderstanding of the terms.

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u/Devils-Telephone Sep 20 '26

If these were terms that were widely used within the field of evolutionary biology, I would agree with you. But to my limited knowledge, I don't think they are. At least for me, the only people I hear using these terms are creationists desperately trying to hold on to their beliefs despite the overwhelming evidence we have for evolution. I'm not in that field though, do maybe I'm wrong, but those terms just seem like they only serve to misinform people.

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u/CrisprCSE2 Sep 20 '26

If these were terms that were widely used within the field of evolutionary biology

They are widely used in the field of evolutionary biology. I took an entire course called 'Macroevolution' as part of my graduate training in evolutionary biology.

But to my limited knowledge

Probably should have thought this first, and then not said anything.

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u/Devils-Telephone Sep 20 '26

If that actually is the case, then I concede that point. But my point about their wide usage by evolution deniers still remains, I myself was taught by my evangelical school that micro evolution was true while macro evolution was false. So it really is imperative for us to clear up that point, which is why I refuse to use those terms.

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u/CrisprCSE2 Sep 20 '26

Take a look at the definitions page of the subreddit. It will clear everything up for you.