Does evolution have a purpose? (Evolution)

by David Turell , Thursday, October 23, 2014, 20:47 (3682 days ago) @ dhw


> dhw:In the hope that this discussion may clarify both your thoughts and mine, what sort of guidelines do you have in mind, apart from those we agreed on earlier, namely the natural limitations to what any organism can do, and the constraints imposed by the environment? -I wish I know how to define the guidelines. I know God is in charge, so He defines the furthest limits an organism can go with the IM to make changes.-> dhw:In order to keep things as concrete as possible, do you believe that the complex changes in the myrmecophilous beetle's body were planned 3.7 billion years ago, were the result of a dabble, or were designed entirely by itself? If not “entirely”, what "guidelines" would God have provided?-I repeat, the beetle had to have the basic pattern of organ systems defined from 3.7 billion years ago, but modifications of body type and activities may have been altered by an IM again within limits, so as not to go too far afield.
 
> David: The IM, as a third way, allows Him to set it up from the beginning and run on its own, with the IM substituted for the necessity of the dabble. Thus God is all powerful from the beginning with the IM scenario.[/i]
> 
> dhw: I don't think so, judging by the limitations you have imposed on the IM. If all the major innovations/patterns were preprogrammed 3.7 billion years ago, a dabble would only be “necessary” if things went wrong (i.e. didn't follow the path he wanted). This means the IM has the capability to correct errors in God's programme for major changes, which hardly squares with your contention that it can only make minor adjustments. -I don't follow your reasoning at all. The IM does not have the power to correct errors. I don't know that God can design an error-filled program. 'Dabbling' is to add an extention of what evolution has invented so far. Dabbling to me is additional programming. Something the IM ca ndo to a minor degree.-> dhw: A dabble would not be “necessary” just to change one species of dog or whale to another, and that seems to be the limit of your IM's capacities.-That seems to fit my concept.