More Denton: My review of my reading so far (Introduction)

by David Turell , Tuesday, March 01, 2016, 14:56 (3189 days ago) @ dhw


> DAVID: Exactly. this is why epigenetic adaptations may very well not lead to speciation.
> 
> dhw: So there must be an inventive mechanism that goes beyond epigenetic adaptation.-Yes, and we debate what it is.-> [/i]
> DAVID: And I ask, where did that come from? You will admit it is just as nebulous. At least in his 'structuralism' he thinks the 'drive to complexity' follows built in laws or guidelines.
> 
> dhw: Built in laws or guidelines also require an origin...-Denton believes they are a natural part of the first forms or 'Types' to use his term.-> dhw:...as does your universal mind, though you prefer to gloss that over	 with “first cause”.-Does first cause (in some form) exist in your view?-> dhw: I do not see the “drive to complexity” as some sort of abstract principle floating around in the ether. It can only exist within organisms themselves, and that requires individual ‘thinking' mechanisms, not a law.-Then you disagree with Denton's approach. He thinks initial structures and constraints guide the advances, following rules of nature. Of course he also accepts functional survival.