Evolution Vs Creation
Discussion
Gaspode said:
It's always been about fear. Early on, primitive humans worshipped naturalist/animist gods because they were afraid of their power, or wanted to appease them - Worship the rain god or he won't water your crops'
Later on it was fear of the authorities. Pay homage to god in the way the Catholic Church requires or they'll accuse your wife of being a witch and burn her to death in the village square. Pay them sufficient bribes or they'll excommunicate you. But if you have sinned and could do with a bit of forgiveness, no problem, just buy one of our handy Papal Indulgences and you can do whatever you fancy.
Later on it was fear of the authorities. Pay homage to god in the way the Catholic Church requires or they'll accuse your wife of being a witch and burn her to death in the village square. Pay them sufficient bribes or they'll excommunicate you. But if you have sinned and could do with a bit of forgiveness, no problem, just buy one of our handy Papal Indulgences and you can do whatever you fancy.
TwigtheWonderkid said:
Of course there are now far better books on evolution, which one would expect given the time that's past. Dawkins "The Greatest Show on Earth" is probably the current definitive work on the matter, for normal folk like me. Top academics and evolutionary biologists may have a different view.
I've read The Greatest Show on Earth and The Selfish Gene, but I figure I should read the book that started it all. I read on my Kindle these days, but I think I'll get a hardcopy of that one.durbster said:
Here's another example of how thought is demonstrably material:
If somebody is walking and you ask them a reasonably sophisticated question, they will stop walking. The mind needs that extra processing power to think.
An even more visceral demonstration is punching someone unconscious. An entirely physical process If somebody is walking and you ask them a reasonably sophisticated question, they will stop walking. The mind needs that extra processing power to think.
TwigtheWonderkid said:
That's a point I've made on this and other threads. Prince Charles once said to Richard Dawkins "you science fellows are very good and explaining how things happpen, but you never ask why." To which Dawkins replied "that is because Sir, with the greatest of respect, it's a bloody stupid question."
And he was spot on. Why are we here? Utterly pointless question. And no more important that asking why does a nail go rusty outside? We know how it happens, oxidisation of ferrous metal and all that, but why? What's the point? What's the purpose? I don't know and I don't care. And I'm not about to waste my life looking for a reason. It just does, process explained, move on.
Was watching 'Cosmos' with my 14 year old daughter this evening, as she's genuinely interested in science.And he was spot on. Why are we here? Utterly pointless question. And no more important that asking why does a nail go rusty outside? We know how it happens, oxidisation of ferrous metal and all that, but why? What's the point? What's the purpose? I don't know and I don't care. And I'm not about to waste my life looking for a reason. It just does, process explained, move on.
I casually asked her "which is the more relevant question - 'how ?' or 'why ?'". She thought for a couple of seconds and then announced "'How ?' - it doesn't really matter why, but if you know how things work you can understand them, and then figure out how to deal with things, like cancer. 'Why ?' doesn't really tell you anything - it's like the meaning of life - there is no meaning, stuff just is...".
I was so proud (and told her so !!) !!
She wants to do forensic science as a career, and I can't help thinking she's already got the right mind-set to approach that...
Nick M said:
TwigtheWonderkid said:
That's a point I've made on this and other threads. Prince Charles once said to Richard Dawkins "you science fellows are very good and explaining how things happpen, but you never ask why." To which Dawkins replied "that is because Sir, with the greatest of respect, it's a bloody stupid question."
And he was spot on. Why are we here? Utterly pointless question. And no more important that asking why does a nail go rusty outside? We know how it happens, oxidisation of ferrous metal and all that, but why? What's the point? What's the purpose? I don't know and I don't care. And I'm not about to waste my life looking for a reason. It just does, process explained, move on.
Was watching 'Cosmos' with my 14 year old daughter this evening, as she's genuinely interested in science.And he was spot on. Why are we here? Utterly pointless question. And no more important that asking why does a nail go rusty outside? We know how it happens, oxidisation of ferrous metal and all that, but why? What's the point? What's the purpose? I don't know and I don't care. And I'm not about to waste my life looking for a reason. It just does, process explained, move on.
I casually asked her "which is the more relevant question - 'how ?' or 'why ?'". She thought for a couple of seconds and then announced "'How ?' - it doesn't really matter why, but if you know how things work you can understand them, and then figure out how to deal with things, like cancer. 'Why ?' doesn't really tell you anything - it's like the meaning of life - there is no meaning, stuff just is...".
I was so proud (and told her so !!) !!
She wants to do forensic science as a career, and I can't help thinking she's already got the right mind-set to approach that...
I remember watching some bloke on the news in the USA, talking about surviving an attack by a swarm of killer bees and thanking God for his good fortune. My youngest son, about 8 yrs old at the time, pipes up "and who do you think sent the killer bees to attack you in the first place, you moron?"
I too was so proud.
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