Evolution (term)
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{{otheruses|Evolution (disambiguation)}}
'''''Evolution''''' is a [[terminology|term]] with many meanings. For instance, [[Webster's Dictionary|Merriam-Webster]] lists [[evolution|biological evolution]] as one meaning out of a total of six.
Evolution is not exclusively a term of [[biology]]. There are also evolutionary [[economics]], evolution of [[language]]s, evolution of networks, and many other fields of science where [[system]]s evolve by quasi-[[randomness|random]] [[generation]] and [[selection]] of [[individual]]s within a [[population]]. The concept of evolution itself has evolved.
In natural languages, economic [[innovation]], [[chemistry]], [[physics]] and other fields, the term is often used in a nonbiological way. There is quite a body of [[theory]] and thought behind this broader scientific view on evolution where biological evolution would be just another case of this broader view on evolution.
This broader view does not define evolution in the narrow biological sense of [[mutation]], random crossover and [[natural selection]]. A broader perspective is necessary, because that is not how languages and economic innovations evolve, for example. In [[chemistry]], the term evolution is often used to refer to the production of a [[gas]] in a chemical reaction, but a process like [[natural selection]] is not involved. Other examples of the use of the term in fields outside of biology include [[stellar evolution]], [[cultural evolution]], and the [[evolution of an idea]].
==Etymology and historical meaning==
The word stems from the [[Latin]] term ''evolutio'' meaning "unfolding" and prior to the late 1800s was confined to referring to goal-directed, pre-programmed processes such as [[embryological development]]. A pre-programmed task, as in a [[military maneuver]], using this definition, may be termed an "evolution." By the 20th century, the dominant concept associated with the word "evolution" was [[evolution|biological evolution]], which had originally been known as "[[Transmutation of species|transmutation]]."
==Confusion in defining biological evolution==
One of the main sources of confusion and ambiguity in the [[creation-evolution controversy|creation-evolution debate]] is the definition of ''evolution'' itself. In the context of biology, evolution is simply the genetic change in populations of organisms over successive generations. However, the word has a number of different meanings in different fields, from [[evolutionary computation]] to [[chemical evolution]] to [[sociocultural evolution]] to [[stellar evolution|stellar]] and [[galaxy formation and evolution|galactic evolution]]. It can even refer to [[evolution (philosophy)|metaphysical evolution]], [[higher evolution|spiritual evolution]], or any of a number of [[evolutionism|evolutionist]] philosophies. When biological evolution is mistakenly conflated with other evolutionary processes, it can result in errors such as the claim that modern evolutionary theory says anything about [[abiogenesis]] or the [[Big Bang]].<ref name="moran">Moran, Laurence (1993). ''[http://www.talkorigins.org/faqs/evolution-definition.html What is Evolution?]''</ref>
In colloquial contexts, ''evolution'' can refer to any sort of progressive development, and often bears a connotation of gradual improvement: evolution is understood as a process that results in greater quality or complexity. This common definition, when misapplied to biological evolution, leads to frequent misunderstandings. For example, the idea of [[biological devolution|devolution]] ("backwards" evolution) is a result of erroneously assuming that evolution is directional or has a specific goal, or that [[Orthogenesis|it necessarily leads to greater complexity]]. In reality, the evolution of organisms does not entail objective improvement; advancements are only situational. Biologists do not consider any one species, such as humans, to be more "highly evolved" or "advanced" than another. Likewise, evolution does not require that organisms become more complex. Depending on the situation, organisms' complexity can either increase, decrease, or stay the same, and all three of these trends have been observed in biological evolution.<ref name="devolving">[http://www.sciam.com/askexpert_question.cfm?articleID=00071863-683B-1C72-9EB7809EC588F2D7 Scientific American; Biology: Is the human race evolving or devolving?]</ref>
[[Creationism|Creationist]] sources frequently use evolution in a colloquial, rather than scientific, meaning while attacking the scientific concept. This often leads to the promotion of [[objections to evolution|misunderstandings]] by creationists.<ref name="moran"/><ref>Doolan, Robert (1996). [http://www.answersingenesis.org/creation/v18/i3/wisdom_teeth.asp "Oh! My aching wisdom teeth!"] [[Answers in Genesis]].</ref>
==References==
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[[Category:English language]]