Contingent evolution: what pushes it? (Introduction)

by David Turell , Friday, November 07, 2014, 16:10 (3459 days ago) @ dhw


> dhw: One of your arguments against evolution was “the lack of time. (They explain it away with punctuated equilibrium)”. I pointed out to you that p.e. explains [I should have said describes] “the apparent jumps (probably associated with changes in the environment after periods of stasis).” This has nothing to do with lack of time, and as you pointed out yourself, it actually shortens the time available for change. As I see it, the theory does fit the evidence - there are long periods with no apparent change - but yes, it's a theory, not a fact. From the standpoint of theistic evolution, however, it strengthens the case for divine planning or intervention, though I don't see how it invalidates the case for common descent.-You are quite correct, Punc-Eq is a descriptive term but an observational term, and not much of a theory. It does suggest divine planning and it doesn't deny common descent.