Quote Originally Posted by CoeburnCane View Post
The only things that we can theorize right now that we can theorize that causes evolution are time and possibly environment--but we haven't even proven that yet. There are people also, such as myself, that will argue that adaptation =/= evolution because of the environmental factors that cause adaptation to occur...the theory of evolution in and of itself is much more complex and should be independent of outside factors. Otherwise, any change in a species can likely be proven to be the result of genetic mutation and/or adaptation to environment as opposed to evolution.

But the theory is dependent on outside factors, aside from random genetic mutations, because those are the factors that cause organisms to evolve. Without those outside situations, then it would be simple random mutation.

But when we determined that outside factors can influence mutation, then we knew that certain living things have mutated because of their surroundings.
Therefore, we can hypothesize, that in the perfect circumstances, the theory of evolution is true. It has yet to be proven yet, but thats the basis of the theory.

But, when you say changes in species happen because of genetic mutations caused by surroundings and other circumstances, you are proving evolution. Not Darwin's theory of evolution, but the basic principles of evolution. Evolution is changing the genetic make-up of an organism caused by something other than strictly random mutation. Therefore, its not simple adaptation anymore, its evolution.
Adaptation can be as simple as bees forming hives or beavers building dams.
Therefore, when its complex changes in genetic make-up caused by area or other factors, its not adaptation, its evolution.