Our reality keeps evolving (Introduction)

by dhw, Sunday, May 22, 2016, 18:03 (3106 days ago) @ David Turell

DAVID: Stuart Kaufmann believes in emergence as a principle of nature. In this essay he describes his concept that the universe is still evolving and we are part of it:-https://aeon.co/opinions/why-science-needs-to-break-the-spell-of-reductive-materialism?... 
QUOTE: "At the centre of my argument is a vexing question: since the Big Bang, why has the Universe become complex? I claim that at least part of the answer is that, as more complex things and linked processes are created, and can combine with one another to make yet more complex amalgams of things and processes, the space of possible things and linked processes becomes vastly larger, and the Universe has not had time to make all the possibilities.”-This is precisely the interpretation of biological evolution that I keep proposing: that cells/cell communities combine with one another to make yet more complex organisms. Whether this applies to the universe itself, I have no idea. We apparently know nothing about 90% of the universe anyway, and the fact that we humans are discovering more and more complexities doesn't mean they were not there all the time, during the continuous process of cosmic comings and goings.
 
David's comment: Supports my point that the universe evolves, life evolves, and in my view God uses an evolving process for all of reality. Also note that the search space to find the proper useful organic molecules is enormous. Organic chemistry starts out as having the ability to create endless possibilities, but without guidance how are useful new molecules found by chance? As for cell communities, they can only make the molecules they are programmed to make. All of this suggests advanced planning is required.-A strange progression of thought. Yes, the universe and life evolve. Yes, organic chemistry has endless possibilities. Yes, chance seems an unlikely originator of the mechanisms for life and evolution. But once a mechanism for life and evolution is functioning, how do you know what it is capable of, and how do you know where (theistic version)your God's advanced planning ends and his mechanism takes over?-You wrote under “Methane”: “Again enormous complexity. Enzymes are huge molecules and how did cell communities know to use a nickel atom? Note my bold. Maybe someday we'll be as smart as nature (or God).”-Cell communities are “natural”. As plants and other living organisms, they do things you and I cannot do. In certain respects, they are smarter than us. So maybe your God made them that way. Not as machines but as living intelligences.