Dante Writer
Active Member
How can that be a "watered down" definition when "descent with modification" was the original definition in the first place?
What you are talking about is the difference between microevolution (evolution within a species) and macroevolution (evolution of new species). Both are still evolution.
It is watered down as it applies itself almost entirely to evolution within a species not from one species to another.
To call both evolution is an extreme over simplification as many scientists have said natural selection may not be the mechanism used for macroevolution and there may be another mechanism involved as yet unknown.
That is why it is dangerous to lay that watered down definition and call it evolution. You should apply it with the exception that it applies only to evolution within a species at this time.