Human Intelligence

Skeptick asked me other on the other thread: Neither. Evolution works by a mixture of deterministic and random processes. Evolution is accidental in the philosophical sense. I don't think the question makes any sense for any other sense of the word 'accidental'.

I'm not playing games here.How can it be described as 'accidental' if not in the philisophical sense? What would that 'accidental' mean?

Words have meanings. If you ask an either-or question and neither answer is correct, how are we supposed to respond? Perhaps if you state what you think, and where you are going with it, we could get some meaningful discussion?I believe this started off with a question about human consciousness. I take it you wish to argue human consciousness could not have evolved? Go ahead, argue it. We're reading.

The Theory of Evolution covers only the study of biological life after it first emerged. Do you mean what caused the big bang? I have no idea. I have no idea if it even has a cause.Do you mean where did the first replicator come from? Simple chemistry, probably acted out in a geothermal vent. Probably. We're not really sure yet.Do you mean how did human consciousness evolve? We don't really now. We don't know how consciousness works yet or, indeed, what it is for. Now, there's a few interesting ideas around, but none of them are anything more than that at this time. Whether you see it that way or not. I don't. Therefore I cannot answer your either-or question with either of your answers. The Boeing 747 was designed, as you know. I imagine your hoping that we'll let you generalise from that to life. Trouble is, life has only the tiniest similarity to a Boeing 747, and we have compelling evidence showing it needs no designer. I used to be a Christian. I gave it up because I found the concept of god not only totally redundant in explaining the world, but actively contradictory to the world we observe around us.(Obligatory sidenote pointing out that evolution does not require or imply atheism)There's another thing I don't know. How is that saying 'god did it' is any more satisfactory than saying 'I don't know'.[This message has been edited by Mr Jack, 02-04-2004]

I can't be bothered with answering such long posts. Do you understand what an axiom is?

You find the text for Hitler's Mein Kampf here. Please point out the parts of it based on evolution. While you're at it please explain why if it is based on evolution there are masses of references to god, and the divine will but none to Evolution (actually there's one, but it isn't refering to ToE), Darwin or Natural Selection.

I did no such thing.It is perfectly possible to believe in Darwinian evolution and still be a theist (and specifically: a Christian). I have no interest in your opinion on this; the fact is that there are people who are Christians and hold Darwinian evolution to be true.

Once again you show you have an incredible narrow and blinkered view of your own faith. Keep your True Scotsman falacies to yourself.

I'm curious about your theory that language causes consciousness - how would that work exactly?