A mutation happens, and if it's successful, it sticks... Mostly. Fish got legs and decided to try them out on land. Dinosaurs evolved wings and tried to fly. We got long legs and ran better. Not great example: We didn't evolve fingers and an opposable thumb to use tools, we use tools because we evolved fingers and the capacity/will to use tools. ]
2 ° That there is an end goal rather than it being an ongoing process.
3 • [ There is no driving force behind it, it simply happens through chance and coincidence. Which is why you sometimes get unfortunate occurrences (dying on the way to their reproduction grounds (salmon)).
Evolution has no purpose, if by chance a mutation, or physiological change results in better survival, then over millions of years it will become more prevalent in the population.
Survival is all that matters, no consideration is taken for feelings, emotions or comfort, everything is just random. ]
4 ° That humans are the most evolved and all lesser species will one day evolve to be like us.
5 • [ "If we're descended from monkeys, why are there still monkeys?"
Human beings and monkeys are descended from a common primate ancestor. Human beings did not evolve from current monkeys.
Another way to think of it is a family tree.
You are related to you grandmother and so is your cousin. You and your cousin differ in DNA BUT you still carry some similar characteristics because you are BOTH related to your grandmother.
Your grandmother is the common ancestor. ]
6 ° That evolution makes an animal more advanced.
7 • [ That an individual can evolve.
*Populations* evolve from generation to generation. Not individuals. ]
8 ° That evolution is just a theory.
9 • [ That the "fittest" biological offspring is necessary the best.
Fitness biologically just means the ability to pass on genes. A human being with 140IQ and good strength but no libido would lose out over an 80iq weakling who wanted to reproduce at all costs. Also any bad traits which come on later in life aren't protected against because by that time you've already passed on your genes. ]
10 ° Evolution has a direction or goal.
11 • [ Evolution's end point is to create the ultimate intelligent life form.
Evolution does not have a goal or objective to create intelligent life form. It's just a process of changing life (at the genetic level) to adapt to the environment. Those lifeforms with the genes that are suitable for surviving in the environment they are in prosper. Thus, if we were to resurrect a group of woolly mammoth and place them in a tropical environment, they would not do well. ]
12 ° Evolution is untrue because they can't see it happening.
