Firstly, I'm by no means whatsoever a biologist, so if I make false statements or using words wrongly or whatever, feel free to correct me.
Having followed the debate between creationists and scientists lately (and what a circus that is), I've been reading up a little on evolution as well as stalked a bunch of channels on Youtube, discussing the matter. And so, I hope I have at least a basic understanding of evolution and natural selection. One thing I'm curious about, however, is statements such as "natural selection is our best theory for how species evolve". I have no problem with that, whatsoever, and I agree with it. But statements like that begs the question; "ARE there any other theories"?
I know there's intelligent design, but I mean scientific theories. Natural selection, that individuals with certain traits more adapted to survive in the area they live in have a higher chance to pass on their genes to the next generation, I believe this to be a very solid theory with enough evidence to back it up ad nauseum, and I don't think there's anyone with an education actually doubting that's how we got to where we are today, on this planet. But let's say we have an alien planet. Of course, we can't know that much about any other planet right now. But speculatively (if that's a word), can we imagine there to be another process of evolution, based on something other than natural selection?
I've tried to think of something, but really can't. While my brother suggested selective selection (he explained it by having 2 banana flies and mating them until you get a fly with the traits you want), that requires an external force which controls it all. But it's not something that, to my knowledge, happens "in the wild". So if anyone can think of any such process, I'd be grateful.
But then again, I guess the natural in natural selection says it all
