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To: Condorman
Potential (mis)application of a theory is irrelevant to the validity of said theory. Shirley, you cannot have forgotten the last time this was pointed out to you.

This is a valid point. I cannot say that the penchant for communists to adopt evolutionism thereby invalidates theories of evolution. Communism exists and is widely recognized as a legitimate form of government. Evolutionism exists and is widely recognized as a legitimate world view. Do you suppose the two just randomly decided to walk hand in hand?

But we're not talking about a "potential" misapplication here, are we? It really happened, and it can be fairly well verified that millions of people lost their lives as a result.

How would you describe the relationship between evolutionism, communism, and the general welfare of the citizenry under the same? Would you say there is no relationship whatsoever?

1,944 posted on 01/01/2003 2:44:30 PM PST by Fester Chugabrew
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To: Fester Chugabrew
Evolutionism exists and is widely recognized as a legitimate world view.

Won't wash. The evolution we are discussing concerns common descent of animal species. The "Evolutionism" you seem to be referring to is the social theory of cultural progression developed by Edward B. Tyler and expanded by Lewis Henry Morgan in the late 19th century. From here:

How would you describe the relationship between evolutionism, communism, and the general welfare of the citizenry under the same? Would you say there is no relationship whatsoever?

I think you're reaching. At it's most basic level, the word evolution can be defined as "change over time." The Theory of Evolution we have been talking about is a part of biology specifically concerning common descent and speciation. This is a social theory, and while they may exhibit commonality in terminology, the meanings of the terms are dependent on the context.

Not to mention that the whole communism/evolution connection seems rather inconsistent from the get-go. "Survival of the fittest" is hardly a rallying cry for universal social and economic equality. If anything, it seems more appropriate to capitalism, if not outright anarchy.

1,971 posted on 01/01/2003 4:28:23 PM PST by Condorman
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