Introducing James Barham (Introduction)

by David Turell , Tuesday, August 18, 2015, 16:46 (3384 days ago) @ dhw

dhw: “Finally, we now know that living systems are autonomous agents, capable of highly flexible intelligent behavior. For example, even the simplest, single-celled organisms, such as bacteria, are able to adjust themselves to altered circumstances in a purposeful way. And they can do this even if the circumstances are unlike any ever encountered by their ancestors during their evolutionary history.”[/i]
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> This is a key element of my own hypothesis, as opposed to your insistence, David, that bacteria are automatons merely obeying God's instructions. Barham seems to take it for granted that you are wrong.-Barham is not what he seems. The ID folks love him. And again 'highly flexible intelligent behavior' can be from onboard highly intelligent instructions.
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> dhw: “We are finally beginning to realize, on the basis of irrefutable empirical evidence, as well as more careful analysis of Darwinian theory itself, that purposeful action in living things is an objectively real phenomenon that is presupposed, not explained, by the theory of natural selection.”
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> As all of us on this website have constantly reiterated, natural selection can only select from that which already exists. It does not produce anything. However, Darwin's theory does entail purpose: that of survival, which is as objectively real as a purpose can get. It does not, however, entail a divine purpose for creation. I would like to add improvement to survival, which takes us firmly into Darwinian territory, -To which I would note again: bacteria are highly successful. There is no driving necessity to go beyond their level of existence, but it happened. I see purpose.
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> It will be interesting to see the continuation of this essay, especially as he intends to cover the work of James A. Shapiro, a dedicated believer in the autonomous intelligence of bacteria. Thank you again, David. -It is published. Look.