Why is evolution a theory and not a law?

[Swamidass (Peaceful Science)]

@NonlinOrg

We do have the Mendelian laws of inheritance. Goes to show there’s a real difference between Mendel and Darwin.

Except Mendelian “laws” are not really laws because there are numerous important exceptions. You are making my point for me @NonlinOrg. =)

@NonlinOrg

Have you considered that while Mendelian genetics can readily be verified experimentally and has real and immediate implications in medicine, biology, food science and much more, the “knowledge” that organism A evolved from organism B, or the two are just products of “convergent evolution”, adds nothing to our understanding of either A or B?

Except Mendelian genetics has not been “verified” as a “law.” It is just a general rule, that is frequently violated.

@Swamidass

for the vast majority of “rules” in biology, there are exceptions that (1) are quickly discovered, and (2) too important to be neglected. This means that the “laws” are not a dominant metaphor at all.

Non-Mendelian inheritance

And evolution is how we understand cancer. It is extremely important to how we treat it.

http://biologos.org/blogs/guest/cancer-and-evolution