Instigator / Con
7
1587
rating
182
debates
55.77%
won
Topic
#4041

On balance, The Theory of Biological Evolution is a hoax

Status
Finished

The debate is finished. The distribution of the voting points and the winner are presented below.

Winner & statistics
Better arguments
3
0
Better sources
2
0
Better legibility
1
0
Better conduct
1
0

After 1 vote and with 7 points ahead, the winner is...

Sir.Lancelot
Parameters
Publication date
Last updated date
Type
Standard
Number of rounds
4
Time for argument
Two days
Max argument characters
10,000
Voting period
One week
Point system
Multiple criterions
Voting system
Open
Contender / Pro
0
1417
rating
27
debates
24.07%
won
Description

On balance, so BOP is shared.

Definitions:
Theory of Evolution- Scientific theory explaining the appearance of new species and varieties through the action of various biological mechanisms such as natural selection, genetic mutation or drift, and hybridization.
Evolution- The biological change by which descendants come to differ from their ancestors.
Hoax- A humorous or malicious deception.
Theory- A scientific theory is an explanation of an aspect of the natural world and universe that has been repeatedly tested and corroborated in accordance with the scientific method, using accepted protocols of observation, measurement, and evaluation of results. Where possible, theories are tested under controlled conditions in an experiment.

Rules:
1. No forfeits. One forfeit is the loss of a conduct point, but two forfeits is an auto-loss.
2. Proof, evidence, and sources can only be used inside the rounds.

Round 1
Con
#1
Thank you, Pro, for accepting this debate. 

Preamble:
So I shall argue the factual accuracy of the Theory of Biological Evolution through comparing humans and other species over time, supported by empirical evidence. 

BOP
This is an on-balance debate, so both sides are required to back their claims respectively. 

Definitions:
Natural Selection- The process whereby organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring. 
Adaptation- The adjustment of organisms to their environment in order to improve their chances of survival in that environment. 

Contentions:

l. Evolution is an observable fact.
When discussing Evolution, the counter-arguments against it typically resort to some sort of denial on the basis that “it was never observed.” The evidence, however, has a different conclusion. 

Fossil records of ancient species that are now extinct have been compared to other fossils on the timeline hierarchy and these microchanges over long periods of time represent that the DNA of offspring differs from their ancestors of over 40,000-80,000 years. 

ll. Evolution is vital for survival.
The global oxygen percentage was significantly higher during the time of dinosaurs than it was now. To adjust to these changes, the species would gradually diversify until they were small enough that we had chickens, geese, and ducks. 

Jurassic Park would be impossible in today’s time because the oxygen levels could not accommodate their massive size and frame. This is also why insects don’t grow to be several feet as they did back then. 
Pro
#2
Forfeited
Round 2
Con
#3
Bump
Pro
#4
Forfeited
Round 3
Con
#5
Oh well. 
Pro
#6
Forfeited
Round 4
Con
#7
Bump

Pro
#8
Forfeited