The difference between a human and a rock

If you are atheist, and you believe in true Darwinian evolution, from the cradle to the grave so to speak, (with possible scenarios of how life began such as Dawkin's precept of silicone sticking together more in some conditions than others, or any other type of rudimentary copying mechanism forming) up to the point of blind mutations creating random mistakes of genetic copying, then what exactly makes any natural form any more valuable than another?Do things "deserve" to live? Why would smashing apart a rock be any different than smashing out a life, when in fact they are just different versions of the same thing?Note, if anyone wishes to hedge on the "randomness" aspect of life forming, then be prepared to defend that assertion. Edited by Admin, : Fix title.

Your original title was "The difference a human and a rock", so I changed it to be "The difference between a human and a rock". If that's still not right you can modify the title of your thread by editing Message 1.If you really intended a debate only with atheists who accept Darwinian evolution then the opening sentence is fine, but if you also wish to include theists and agnostics who accept Darwinian evolution then you should modify it so it doesn't seem so exclusive.I think your question might be more clearly formulated without any reference to evolution like this: If all things in the universe, including life, are just a result of natural unguided processes, then what makes any one thing more valuable than any other thing? In this view, isn't a human life no more valuable than a rock?Whether or not you decide to edit Message 1, post a short note here when you're ready for me to take another look.

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--	Percy
	EvC Forum Director

Your editing of my title is most appropriate; as would be better reading glasses for myself.I think the debate must necessarily be directed at atheists who believe in Darwinian evolution, and still hold a belief of morality or value to life. I think I can already understand where a theistic evolutionist gets their moral beliefs. I suppose agnostics are free to comment as they see fit.I guess I am saying I prefer to stick to the original spirit of the post, as I also have a preference for the more visceral implications of smashing a rock. Edited by Bolder-dash, : No reason given.

Thread copied to the The difference between a human and a rock thread in the Creation/Evolution Miscellany forum, this copy of the thread has been closed.