Extinctions: Bad Genes or Bad Luck? A nod to D. Raup (Introduction)

by dhw, Friday, February 11, 2011, 08:10 (4826 days ago) @ David Turell

DAVID: I think you are thinking a bit too much about my theory of pre-planning! ;-() All I propose is that humans are the end point of evolution, with evolution driven to advance complexity in living organisms. [...] God started all of this, but didn't expect to step in for much management. I don't think He had to. Hippos, hens, and hyenas all appeared as if scheduled, but they appeared when they appeared. I hope this satisfies your philosophic questioning.-I can't carry my suppositions about God too far, and I try to make those suppositions have simple beginnings. I don't know if God is omniscient, omnipotent, all-caring, etc. as religions wish. There HAS to be a UI from the evidence I view, but after that, it is all questions.-Of course we have no idea if humans are the "end point", since the next five billion years or so may well produce a few surprises ... although I suspect that you and I won't be around to see them. However, I find myself much more at ease with all the above than with the specific pre-planning scenario, even though you have now lost your chance of nomination for Creationist of the Year. If I believed in God, my money would still be on the scientist setting things in motion and then seeing what would happen. But I appreciate your patience in dealing with my speculations!
 
Thank you also for clearing up the mystery of the backward worms.