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Professor Rigid on Evolution (must "believe" to get med school rec)
The Lubbock Avalanche Journal ^ | 10/6/02 | Sebastian Kitchen

Posted on 10/06/2002 8:16:21 AM PDT by hispanarepublicana

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To: betty boop
I follow your reasoning here, PH. But what are we really talking about, when we say "evolution?" Earlier I tried to define what "spiritual nature" was. Can we now define what human "evolution" is, in your mind? If you're going to tell me it presupposes descent from apes, then I suspect the Pope would very seriously take issue with you. And to me, that's a real howler! To believe such a thing is to not understand what a man is.

As to whether evolution applies only to the physical world, not to the spiritual: Consciousness seems to "evolve." In my book, consciousness is not part of the physical world.

Well, not apes exactly. That's an obsolete view of things. Currently available evidence indicates that man and apes both split off from common ancestors, way back there. But that's a quibble. Try re-reading the Pope's statement. He knows what "evolution" is. I think that upon re-reading, you'll be surprised at what the Pope's position really is. I read his statement to be virtualy a complete acceptance of the theory of evolution -- that all living species on earth are related and descend from earlier forms; and that new species emerge from their parent stock by the process of mutation and natural selection. He didn't define the term, but he used it, and it's generally understood to be exactly that.

As for consciousness, and man's spiritual nature, free will, and all that great stuff, I can't explain it. I can't even define them very well. So it's fine with me if the Pope reserves the meaning of such matters for theology.

441 posted on 10/09/2002 9:42:27 AM PDT by PatrickHenry
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To: AndrewC
you seem to imply that refining a theory is not meaningful work.

I'll amend: the predictions of ID must be refined further before any meaninful work can be done using ID as the working hypothesis.

Examples: ID predicts a designer. How would we go about locating evidence for it? What unique predictions does ID make about the next fossil we discover? What does ID predict about the next Australian mammal to be identified?

442 posted on 10/09/2002 9:43:55 AM PDT by Condorman
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To: VadeRetro
Ah, to the contrary dear Vade! You are irreplaceable, treasured to many and essential to others.

I would be sinning against the Lord if I ceased praying for you. (I Samuel 12:23)

443 posted on 10/09/2002 9:48:17 AM PDT by Alamo-Girl
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To: Condorman
What unique predictions does ID make about the next fossil we discover?

What does Darwin say about this?

444 posted on 10/09/2002 9:54:24 AM PDT by AndrewC
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To: AndrewC
Not true, that assumes that only man "makes" objects.

False. I'm assuming that only man makes arrowheads. I make this assumption because to date we do not have evidence for non-man-made arrowheads. Do you have evidence to the contrary?

Just as a courtesy, would you mind responding to my actual position instead of your altered rendition thereof?

445 posted on 10/09/2002 9:55:56 AM PDT by Condorman
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To: AndrewC
What does Darwin say about this?

Darwin is dead, and his theories have been revised considerably since they were first published. The current theory of evolution says much about what the next fossil will NOT look like. Other predictions depend greatly on the age of the rock and the area in which the fossil is found.

What does ID have to say on the matter?

446 posted on 10/09/2002 10:00:47 AM PDT by Condorman
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To: PatrickHenry; betty boop
Currently available evidence indicates that man and apes both split off from common ancestors, way back there.

Man and the known modern ape species diverged millions of years ago, yes. In particular, we seem to have diverged from the line leading to modern chimpanzees some 5-8 million years back. That last common ancestor would certainly be considered an ape; it just wouldn't necessarily be exactly like any modern species. Furthermore, since apes seems to have arisen from monkeys, so did we. And so forth on back. When the most advanced animal around was an amphibian, the line leading to humans had to be present on the planet, somewhere.

447 posted on 10/09/2002 10:03:18 AM PDT by VadeRetro
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To: hispanarepublicana
He declined to speak with The Avalanche-Journal. His response to an e-mail from The A-J said: "This semester, I have 500 students to contend with, and my schedule in no way permits me to participate in such a debate."

Ah, perhaps his course load should be decrease then - say to 0. A professor has no business requiring a student to believe as he/she does. Only that they study the material presented and be able to pass tests, write papers or whatever other academic activities are required for the class.

448 posted on 10/09/2002 10:04:39 AM PDT by MEGoody
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To: Dark Knight
At your leisure...
449 posted on 10/09/2002 10:04:53 AM PDT by Condorman
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To: Condorman
False. I'm assuming that only man makes arrowheads.

Then what the heck does this mean?

Arrowheads are identifiable as man-made, because we have direct experience with man-made objects.

450 posted on 10/09/2002 10:04:53 AM PDT by AndrewC
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To: Condorman
What does ID have to say on the matter?

That it will look designed and look like life, as useful as your answer.

451 posted on 10/09/2002 10:06:59 AM PDT by AndrewC
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To: AndrewC
Exactly what it says? I'm afraid I can't be much clearer.

If you want to know if a bullet came from a particular gun, fire another bullet through the gun and compare the two. If you want to know if a man made an arrowhead, get a man-made arrowhead and compare the two.

Take your time...

452 posted on 10/09/2002 10:12:45 AM PDT by Condorman
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To: PatrickHenry
The way I read the papal encyclical...

polite rejection---

nice paint job---bondo/chrome/blown engine...

totalled endlessly---bad rebuilds!

Real cruizer---govt b-52 video---only the scences-lies(background) move!

453 posted on 10/09/2002 10:12:50 AM PDT by f.Christian
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To: AndrewC
That it will look designed and look like life

What features would differentiate it from something not designed?

Tomorrow, scientists will discover a mammalian species native to Australia, and previously unknown to science. What does ID predict about this species?

454 posted on 10/09/2002 10:16:10 AM PDT by Condorman
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To: Condorman
. If you want to know if a man made an arrowhead, get a man-made arrowhead and compare the two.

Ahh, therefore any SETI signal that matches a man-made signal is man-made. Good logic.

455 posted on 10/09/2002 10:16:19 AM PDT by AndrewC
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To: Alamo-Girl
It was a joke. I believe it was from Saturday Night Live (many, many years ago).

It's better to have actually seen the sketch, as it presents the many 'subjects' each vividly describing their experience and all ending with them commenting on the part about taking a number.
456 posted on 10/09/2002 10:18:22 AM PDT by Dimensio
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To: Condorman
What features would differentiate it from something not designed?


457 posted on 10/09/2002 10:19:52 AM PDT by AndrewC
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To: All
The business cycle is based upon two things...

valid technological change---growth/wealth...

and the scam/hype artists getting the suckers scaled---fileted...

losers pick losers---don't pick losers!

Evolution is hype---not science in any way/form---appearance!

458 posted on 10/09/2002 10:28:28 AM PDT by f.Christian
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To: AndrewC; RadioAstronomer
Ahh, therefore any SETI signal that matches a man-made signal is man-made. Good logic.

Once again you attribute positions to me that are not mine. I made no such statement; SETI is not my baliwick. I suspect, though, that non-random SETI signals are first matched against man-made emanations. However, if someone versed in the field wishes to opine, I will defer to them.

459 posted on 10/09/2002 10:29:34 AM PDT by Condorman
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To: AndrewC
Cute, but not an answer.
460 posted on 10/09/2002 10:30:21 AM PDT by Condorman
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