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To: dynoman
The Origins of Life Prize site states, Any scientific life-origins theory must connect with "life" as we observe it (the "continuity principle").

First of all, the requirement is being imposed on life origin theory, not the theory of Evolution. Secondly, all it really means is the theory of life origins has to be compatible with the way subsequent life works (i.e., the theory of Evolution.) What they mean by this is that a theory of life origins that explains a form of life NOT compatible with the subsequent evolution of that life form is not acceptable to the people offering the prize. An example of a life origin theory that was discontinuous with the theory of evolution might be one that posits some sort of silicon-based chemistry for the first life form. Obviously, this doesn't fit with the carbon-based chemistry of subsequent life forms that have existed.

So, back to my point, so long as one has a theory of origins of life that gives rise to life with the kind of biochemistry that the Theory of Evolution is compatible with, there is "continuity" between the two theories. It makes no difference what the explanatory model is for the origin of life, as long as it gives rise to something Evolution can subsequently work on.

So again, in that sense, Evolution is no more contingent upon how the first life form originated than Hydrology is contingent upon how water came into existence. Both are compatible with ALL explanations which result in the respectively required raw materials.

82 posted on 08/28/2005 9:10:48 PM PDT by longshadow
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To: longshadow
How can you chop the continuous process of life from "origin of life" to "life as we observe it" into seperate blocks and attribute separate blocks to different theories? That doesn't make sense. This is why IMO

"Inanimate stepping stones of abiotic evolution are essential components to any natural process theory of the molecular evolution of life."

See?

83 posted on 08/28/2005 9:51:01 PM PDT by dynoman (Objectivity is the essence of intelligence. - Marylin vos Savant)
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To: longshadow
Evolution is no more contingent upon how the first life form originated than Hydrology is contingent upon how water came into existence. Both are compatible with ALL explanations which result in the respectively required raw materials.

Which is precisely why the origin of life -- although an interesting question -- is irrelevant to the theory of evolution, and not a part thereof. Although the evolution of species and the origin of life both involve organic chemistry, they are discrete phenomena, with separate mechanisms. (Similarly, practicing medicine and petroleum engineering involve organic chemistry, but ... well, you get the picture.)

Theists should rejoice in this distinction, rather than trying to bash evolution for it. Why rejoice? Because it leaves a great big gap they can, if they wish, fill with a supernatural agency. But trying to explain an abstract concept to a creationist is a fool's errand.

85 posted on 08/29/2005 5:10:17 AM PDT by PatrickHenry (Felix, qui potuit rerum cognoscere causas. The List-O-Links is at my homepage.)
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