Can the theory of evolution be applied to non-living things?

I think you two are going to go around in circles if we don't back up a bit and define "evolution".That is the point of Para's "levels" observation. If we define 'evolution' as being "...alles... of living things' then of course it can't apply beyond that.But if we abstract the basic concept to a different "level" then we have something else:"Evolution is the change in 'specifications' of a population of 'entities' which is capable of imperfect replication under some (perhaps changing) conditions which affect it's success in the number of replicants it may produce."In this case the 'specifications' are that which controls the form that the 'entities' will take when they are formed through reproduction. The 'entities' are anything which can reproduce under what ever conditions are in place.With alleles for specificaiton and living things for entities you have biological evolution.This message has been edited by NosyNed, 05-06-2004 05:52 PM