how evolution works: learning theory (Evolution)

by dhw, Monday, February 01, 2016, 18:37 (2999 days ago) @ David Turell

DAVID: Another version of the same empty theory, evolution learning to be smarter:-https://www.rawstory.com/2016/01/why-scientists-now-think-biological-evolution-itself-i...-QUOTE: "I don't think invoking a supernatural creator can ever be a scientifically useful explanation. But what about intelligence that isn't supernatural? Our new results, based on computer modelling"(David's bold), link evolutionary processes to the principles of learning and intelligent problem solving - without involving any higher powers. This suggests that, although evolution may have started off blind, with a couple of billion years of experience it has got smarter.” (My bold)-David's comment: Whew! Garbage in, garbage out. Gobbledygook!-Yes and no. For me this is another instance of language being used misleadingly and confusingly. I have cut the rest of the article, because this paragraph contains the point I wish to make. Evolution can't get smarter. Evolution has no intelligence - it is simply a word describing a process which takes place within organisms, and only organisms can get smarter. Once you focus on intelligence and the organisms themselves, it makes sense. With a couple of billion years' experience, cell communities (organisms) have got smarter, and you don't need any higher powers to teach them. But ...Big But...'BUT' IN BLOCK CAPITALS...that still doesn't explain where the intelligence came from in the first place. In other words, you don't need God to explain Chapter 2 of evolution if you accept that intelligent organisms can learn and solve problems. BUT Chapter 1 contains the still unsolved mystery of origins.