Creation, Evolution, and Thomas Aquinas

catholiceducation.org ^ | WILLIAM E. CARROLL

[Aquinasfan]

To my mind, the use of theoretical models "widely agreed upon by experts" is nominalistic because of the reliance upon "wide agreement" and the acknowledgment that the model doesn't match reality.

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.

[curiosity]

My answer is that our intelligence has, in effect, removed almost all selective pressure, so it is extremely unlikely that our distant descendants will be radically different from ourselves. Thus the meaning of "God becoming Man" will always be obvious.

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.

[Dumb_Ox]

My answer is that our intelligence has, in effect, removed almost all selective pressure, so it is extremely unlikely that our distant descendants will be radically different from ourselves.

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?

[curiosity]

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.

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.

[Dumb_Ox]

I have been reading through Aquinas' account of Creation recently, and he mentions the various opinions of the Church Fathers throughout his arguments. See The Six Days (Matter).

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

[Aquinasfan]

From your link:

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.

[Aquinasfan]

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.

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"?

[curiosity]

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.