evolution

     Some self-proclaimed philosophers now maintain that they have evolved during the course of their lives, and will continue to evolve. Not so. Evolution, scientifically and genetically, means the alteration of a species or life form over generations. No being or creature evolves during its own lifetime. While we are alive we grow and learn, but we don't evolve.
     A creature that has evolved has actually changed into a different creature, over the course of centuries or millenia. The changes are said to be a product of natural selection. This means that if a particular trait or feature makes an individual creature more successful--more likely to survive--that the trait is more likely to be passed on. It seems like simple common sense now--of course the creatures that survive long enough to have young are the creatures that will pass on their traits to those young. But people didn't believe it at first--at least not as an explanation for the great variety of creatures on the planet.
     If you consider Darwin's finches, it may seem more probable. Darwin found that finches on different islands had evolved different beaks. Where there were seeds to eat, the finches had short sturdy beaks for breaking seeds. Where there were flowers, the finches had long slender beaks for sipping nectar. Darwin claimed that the finches had started out the same, but through generations, the finches where there were seeds to eat were more likely to survive if they had a beak that could be used to crack seeds. The finches where there was only flower nectar were more likely to survive if they had a longer, more slender beak. No individual birds actually grew longer or shorter beaks. They were just more likely to survive and reproduce if they had the right kind of beak.