Posted on 12/07/2005 5:42:08 AM PST by DarkSavant
That makes sense, but I don't think that this method would serve any useful purpose with regard to creatures, unless there existed a myriad of fossils displaying a continuum of (minute) morphological change, which is clearly not the case.
I agree with your analysis of Neanderthals. We would have to see a live one to determine whether they are truely human, but it seems to mee that even if we were presented with one, it would be very difficult to judge whether it were fully human. And yes, I mean "human" in the ontological not biological sense.
But are these reasonable grounds from the perspective of evolutionary theory? There was a recent pop-science article going around claiming natural selection and evolutionary change was very much still in effect among modern humans.
And don't certain transhumanist fantasies about growing new organs and brain lobes posit quite a few difficulties, even if they aren't ultimately feasible in practice?
There may be some, but the selective pressure is so mild that it's not going to cause any significant changes. For instance, women delaying childbirth may result in later sexual maturity. That people with faster reaction times are less likely to die in car accidents may result in faster reaction times. But beyond that, I really don't see any major selective pressures.
St. Basil the Great, whom Aquinas probably quotes in this section, also preached on the Six Days of Creation in his Hexameron, which I'm skimming through right now:
If there is anything in this system which might appear probable to you, keep your admiration for the source of such perfect order, for the wisdom of God. Grand phenomena do not strike us the less when we have discovered something of their wonderful mechanism. Is it otherwise here?
Source
If we were to wish to discover the essence of each of the beings which are offered for our contemplation, or come under our senses, we should be drawn away into long digressions, and the solution of the problem would require more words than I possess, to examine fully the matter. To spend time on such points would not prove to be to the edification of the Church.Words to the wise.
What about phenomena like Margaret Sanger's attempts to reduce the births of children of "inferior races," or Hitler's attempt to bring about a "master race"? Is this "selective pressure"?
Yes, but thankfully the plans of Hitler and Sanger were foiled.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.