David's theory of evolution: James A. Shapiro's view (Evolution)

by dhw, Friday, December 20, 2019, 07:59 (1798 days ago) @ dhw

dhw: You know perfectly well that if a bacterium acts cognitively, the meaning is that it knows what it is doing – the exact opposite of automatically obeying instructions.

DAVID: It doesn't know what it is doing if it is acting from automatic instructions, as I believe.

dhw: Obviously. So when you agreed “without question” that “living cells…are cognitive (sentient) entities that act and interact purposefully”, and bacteria “vary on their own with adaptations. God is not needed for in species variation”, you actually meant that living cells are not cognitive entities, and bacteria need God’s instructions for in species variation. But apparently I am the one who is playing word games.

I am only reproducing this because Shapiro’s clear statements are in such marked contrast to your own obfuscations. I can understand your reluctance to reply.