More about how evolution works: multicellularity (Evolution)

by David Turell , Friday, November 04, 2016, 19:52 (2722 days ago) @ dhw

dhw: It only takes two to tango. Any species that is successful will stay as it is, but it only requires the odd individual exception to start something new. Some – not ALL - single cells merged to begin the process of multicellularity. It was successful. Some – not ALL - individual fish left the water and set off a process leading to land animals. If you believe in common descent, EVERY innovation took place in some – not ALL – existing individuals and led to new species.

What you stated is true. Innovation happened, but that still doesn't tell us why multicellularity was necessary for continuously successful bacteria, which are still here everywhere, even seemingly impossible environments.

dhw: It was you who introduced the word “desire”, and I suspected there was an ulterior motive, which is why I put “drive” in brackets (see the first quote above). No, I do not believe bacteria are filled with human emotions, and of course Shapiro doesn’t say they are. Not even you will deny that bacteria have a drive for survival, and if your God can implant that drive, he can also implant a drive for improvement, as implemented by the innovative intelligence of individual organisms.

Same answer. Bacteria have a full complement of survival abilities. They do not need improvement. Given by God, most probably. I am not nefarious. You constantly use emotion in thinking about God.

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David’s comment: Wagner may well be off on a wild tear, but Pigliucci's reliance on the power of natural selection is also off the rails. Natural selections sits passively waiting for innovation. We still don't know how that happens, or why it happens, if there is no need for innovation as in the jump from bacteria to multicellularity.

dhw: For once we are in agreement! Pigliucci also takes random mutations for granted as the cause of innovation. You need a lot of faith to believe that.

Of course we an agree.