[JCEccles]

"I am driven to observe of the ultra-Darwinists the following features as symptomatic: first is their . . . almost unbelievable self-assurance, their breezy self-confidence. Second, and far more serious, are particular examples of sophistry and sleight of hand in the misuse of metaphor, and more importantly a distortion of metaphysics, in support of an evolutionary programme. Consider how ultra-Darwinists, having erected a naturalistic sytem that cannot by itself possess any ultimate purpose, still allow a sense of meaning mysteriously to slip back in. Thus, the philosopher of science John Greene remarks,

'Not all of the champions of the modern synthesis have been as open as [Julian] Huxley is in acknowledging the religious aspects of their devotion to evolutionary biology, but most of them, especially those who reject religious and philosophical approaches to the problem of human duty and destiny, manage to smuggle in by way of simile and metaphor the elements of meaning and value that their formal philosophy of nature and natural science excludes from consideration.'

"Despite this, such scientists have no foundation for their reaction agaisnt pointlessness other than the not unworthy and intuitive sense that the world should be built as it is; embedded in the Universe are not only neutrons but such edicts as, to echo Chesterton, 'Thou shalt not steal.'"

Simon Conway Morris, Life's Solution, pp. 314-315, (Cambridge University Press, 2003). Dr. Morris is professor of evolutionary biology at the University of Cambridge. A fellow of the Royal Society, his work on Cambrian soft-bodied faunas figured prominently in Stephen Jay Gould's Wonderful Life.

[JCEccles]

See #70. One of evolution science's brightest stars has called out the knuckeheaded Darwinists on their faith claims and religious fervor. He serves it up better than I could, so feast up.

[JCEccles]

See #70. One of evolution science's brightest stars has called out the knuckeheaded Darwinists on their faith claims and religious fervor. He serves it up better than I could, so feast up.

[betty boop]

...those who reject religious and philosophical approaches to the problem of human duty and destiny, manage to smuggle in by way of simile and metaphor the elements of meaning and value that their formal philosophy of nature and natural science excludes from consideration.

Yes indeed. But if you point this out to such people, the typical response is outraged yelps of denial with great gnashing of teeth.... They refuse to see the self-contradictory position they place themselves in by their relentless insistence that everything in the universe is "natural," by which they essentially mean material.

From your excerpt, Dr. Morris' book looks looks like a great read, JCEccles. Will have to track it down. Thanks so much for the ping!

[shuckmaster]

"I am driven to observe of the ultra-Darwinists the following features as symptomatic: first is their . . . almost unbelievable self-assurance, their breezy self-confidence

Finally learning and acknowledging the truth of Darwin after a lifetime of being exposed to the lies of fundamentalist bible thumping religion, alien astronaut books, and new age hype sure had that effect on me! When it comes to understanding life on earth, Darwin's Theory of Evolution is the only thing that makes any real sense.

Open your eyes, educate yourself on real science, and see the truth. Then you will feel exhilaration of the almost unbelievable self-assurance and breezy self-confidence yourself!