Evolution (Introduction)

by George Jelliss , Crewe, Saturday, April 18, 2009, 20:33 (5494 days ago) @ dhw

dhw: "In my post I made it clear that I have no problem with the general principle of evolution. My problem is with abiogenesis, and the above is another example of how easy it is to slip from one to the other." - My point is that as soon as a replicating molecule, or a system of chemicals incorporating replication, comes on the scene evolution by natural selection kicks in and progress to greater complexity is rapid (on an evolutionary time scale). - dhw: "I'm focusing on what you call the "first replicating molecule" and its mates and immediate descendants." - The first replicators certainly weren't sexual (if that's what you intend to imply by "mates"). - dhw: "the first simple forms of life would not have been changed by new environments unless the code enabling adaptation was already in those first replicating molecules." - The code at that stage enables replication, it does not enable adaptation, that follows by the process of natural selection. - dhw: "your "first replicating molecules" must also (according to the theory of abiogenesis) have chanced to have within them the code or potential ability to combine mindlessly, blindly, unconsciously with other replicating molecules to produce different, functioning, hitherto non-existent structures so complex that we are immensely proud of ourselves when we understand them. That is what belief in abiogenesis entails." - No. The first replicating molecules would only produce very similar replicating molecules. Complexity appears gradually over time by natural selection. - dhw: "If they reacted to the environment, that could only be because they had an ingrained code that enabled them to react. Without it, there could have been no adaptation, no combination, no evolution." - Not so, as I've explained above. - dhw: "Perhaps it's no problem for you to believe that chance could bring inanimate globules of matter to life, enable them to replicate, ..." - Replication IS life at this early stage. - dhw:"... and at the same time endow them with a code which in due course would bring about adaptation and complexity." - I don't claim this. I claim that the replicating or reproductive code evolved further as part of the increasing complexity.

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GPJ