Different in degree or kind: Egnor's take (Introduction)

by dhw, Friday, October 07, 2016, 12:48 (2752 days ago) @ David Turell

dhw: So in your opinion a) did God change fins into legs before fish stepped onto dry land, or b) did fins turn into legs as a result of fish trying to walk on dry land? Please answer a) or b).-DAVID: Sorry, not a 'gotcha' question: I keep pointing to gaps in the fossil records. We know fins became legs. The comparative anatomy of bones tells us that. Because of the gaps we have no idea how or when the changes occur. For God dabbling or pre-planning.-And still you refuse to answer. You are right. Fins became legs, and we have no idea how or when the changes occurred. But I will be open with you: I consider it far more likely that fins became legs as a result of fish venturing onto dry land. I consider it far less likely that they already had legs before they stepped onto dry land or - another possibility that occurs to me - that they stepped onto dry land and God immediately provided them with fully formed legs. I have given you my opinion. I would love to know yours, and wonder why you are so reticent to give it.
 
DAVID: Organisms can only use what they have to work with. New forms appear and they learn to use them.
dhw: But I am suggesting that they can change what they have. You say they can't - God must do it for them beforehand. That is why I keep repeating the above question about fins and legs.
DAVID: Saying 'they can change' is your figment of imagination, providing no substance to your hypothesis. -Not saying but suggesting, and that they can change IS my hypothesis, and it may be a figment of my imagination. Saying ‘God dabbling or pre-planning' provides no substance for your hypothesis because that IS your hypothesis, and it may be a figment of your imagination.