The evidence shapes the theory, but the theory also shapes what we can understand from the evidence. As well, the fossil record is not our only evidence. When p

The evidence shapes the theory, but the theory also shapes what we can understand from the evidence. As well, the fossil record is not our only evidence. When people describe evolution as a thing independent from the fossil evidence, they mean "The things we've learned about how evolution works." It's not really independent of the fossil record, but neither are they one and the same. Similarly, people talk about physics as a mathematical field, even though what actual entities do in the real world is the only real source of information. It isn't that the real world can be "wrong," but if a piece of evidence doesn't fit with our accumulated knowledge, that needs to be explained, not just accepted.