An Alternative to Evolution: Expounded Upon (Introduction)

by Balance_Maintained @, U.S.A., Friday, August 10, 2018, 23:28 (2058 days ago) @ David Turell


DAVID: The 50/50 means the entire conclusion from the results of cellular research is fuzzy. Nothing is clear, and the cells aren't talking.

dhw: This is the first time I have heard anyone deny that cells communicate. I thought the 50/50 concerned whether their communication was the result of intelligence or of your God’s preprogramming. The 50/50 principle applies to most of our discussions, and the entire conclusion that there is a soul, there is an afterlife, there is a God, there is no soul, there is no afterlife, there is no God is fuzzy because nothing is clear. Welcome to the AgnosticWeb.


David: To be clear, of course cells don't talk. The results of cellular research show molecular reactions to stimuli which I think are automatic and you think are some how intelligent. The odds are 50/50 as usual.


Tony: 50/50? That's testable. Is there any chance the cell will NOT react to a given chemical stimulus, or do they react 100% as long as the chemical stimulation requirements are met? By requirements, I mean, are the internal and external conditions right for the chemical process to occur?


daid: The 50/50 is at a different level of interpretation. What is studied is 100% reactions to stimuli. The issue is automatic or intelligent response.

If he observation is that there is a 100% reaction to stimuli, then there is no reason at all to suspect that the organism has a choice. If there is no choice, there is no intelligence.

Definition of intelligence
1 a (1) : the ability to learn or understand or to deal with new or trying situations : reason; also : the skilled use of reason (2) : the ability to apply knowledge to manipulate one's environment or to think abstractly as measured by objective criteria

Notice that is says to 'reason', 'manipulate', and 'think abstractly'. That implies choice. 100% reaction does not imply choice, but compulsion.

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What is the purpose of living? How about, 'to reduce needless suffering. It seems to me to be a worthy purpose.


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