Evolution: a different view with loss of traits; more Behe (Introduction)

by dhw, Thursday, January 03, 2019, 10:29 (1939 days ago) @ David Turell

QUOTE: "The evidence commonly cited to argue for evolution’s ability to drive large-scale transformations is almost always circular. Biologists regularly identify similarities and differences between two groups and then assume those differences are the result of natural selection, mutations, and related processes. However, this conclusion is not based on any actual hard evidence. It is simply assumed. As Behe demonstrates, all empirical data point to the conclusion that evolution is only capable of producing minor alterations of existing designs but nothing truly novel. Evolutionists must now to an even greater extent disconnect their grand narratives from empirical data and confine them to the realm of their unrestrained imaginations.[/i] " (David’s bold)

DAVID: This description of Behe's conclusions fits my theory that all the needed information for evolution was put into original life DNA.

As far as you and I are concerned, Behe is flogging a dead horse here. Over and over again, we have agreed that innovation is the unsolved mystery of evolution, and random mutations are not the solution. It will be interesting to see what Behe does regard as the solution, but I’ll be very surprised if he suggests that 3.8 billion years ago your God preprogrammed the very first cells with every single innovation throughout the history of life. I’ll be less surprised if he suggests that your God dabbled every single innovation. And I very much doubt whether he’ll suggest that your God may have invented a mechanism (cellular intelligence) enabling cells/cell communities autonomously to design their own innovations as and when changing environments require or allow them. We’ll have to wait and see.