Replies

Tufts philosopher and professor of evolutionary biology and cognitive science, Daniel Dennett, in Darwin’s Dangerous Idea, delivers us the opinion that Darwinian evolution is “a universal acid” that dissolves all traditional religious and moral beliefs.

Indeed, dear YHAOS, I imagine that for many if not most on your list of famous names, this "universal acid" is Darwinian evolution's "chief virtue."

You left out the name of Nobel Laureate Jacques Monod. He had this to say:

Everything can be reduced to simple, evident, mechanical interactions. The cell is a machine; the animal is a machine; the man is a machine.

I guess we need daily doses of "universal acid" in order to accept that man is a machine.

Thanks. But no thanks.

in order to accept that man is a machine.

This is all moving really fast for me. I thought I was an ape.

I have been telling people that evolution makes a monkey out of you and me.

And what are we going to with the John Henry story now?

[ Everything can be reduced to simple, evident, mechanical interactions. The cell is a machine; the animal is a machine; the man is a machine. -Jacques Monod ]

If this is true THEN... the human body could be and probably is a Space Suit for the human spirit.. Because it seems that all flesh of any organism is a machine.. even Jesus flesh was a machine.. (John ch 8)..

Wonder if there are "levels" of spirit.. or KINDS of spirit.. that inhabits various "machines".. From God to Angels, humans, animals, insects and plants.. even mushrooms and microbes.. And that flesh is merely the conduit on this planet, to function..

It could be that all flesh is merely mechanical.. but spirit is the motor in the machine.. Wondor "IF" that was Jesus message to all.. You know, that "we" humans(as spirits) are greater than we appear in the flesh.. And when flesh dies, "we" don't.. Heaven and Hell, could be, and probably are "hints" of this..

Monod could be closer to the truth than Darwin can/could compute.. Charlie Darwin could have overlooked the obvious.. But not of evolution of the machine but evolution of the spirit.. Spiritual evolution could be the truth of what Darwin was observing.. Not only with humans but with ALL LIFE... NOW, would'nt that be a "HOOT"..