How does organic evolution relate to the geologic time scale?
1 Answer
The two are interrelated . The theory of organic evolution is used to establish the geological time scale, and the geological time scale is used to support the theory of organic evolution.
Explanation:
"The relative ages of the rocks in the geological column are determined by the remains of the organisms that they contain. "
( page 168 Vol 10 1949 Encyclopedia Brittanica )
The theory of organic evolution ( Darwinian evolution) is used to determine the relative ages of the strata used to establish the geological column. " fossils help geologists figure out the ages of rocks strata and the times at which animals and plants lived"
page 26 vol 6 World book Encyclopedia 1996
The Geological Column in turn is used to establish and support the Darwinian model of the theory of organic evolution. That is descent with modification. The simplest fossils are assumed to be the oldest based on the concept of descent with modification.
" A circular argument arises interpret that fossils record in therms of a particular theory of evolution inspect the interpretation and not that it confirms the theory. "
p 66-67 The New Scientist vol 108 1985
" The danger of circularity is still present ... The temporal ordering of biological events involve paleontological correlation which necessarily presupposes the non repeatability of organic events in geologic history. # page 466 Evolution vol 28 Sept 1974
The Darwinian model of organic evolution is use to establish the Geological time Scale. The Geological Time Scale is then used as one of the main evidences of the Darwinian model of organic evolution. The two concepts are interrelated and mutuality supportive of each other. This is obviously a circular argument.
