how does evolution explain the capacity for psychological growth, when evolution by nature grants no practical use for such growth? that is evolution only explains our physiological development because of our basic needs for survival, no such psychological growth is needed. if psychological development was a product of evolution, then how come humans, who came after the animals, are the only species of animal that exhibits these qualities?
2007-01-23 16:23:11 · 9 answers · asked by alex l 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
skeleton past has successfully evaded the question. now we can start weeding out those who can't debate at a higher level.
2007-01-23 16:28:34 · update #1
im saying that if we lived in a manner as animals do at a very crude and elemental level, we could still survive. farming and modern technology are only things that improve our standard of living.
2007-01-23 16:31:00 · update #2
why have animals not evolved in the same sense?
2007-01-23 16:32:04 · update #3
dierdry h: if we all evolved from singularity, how could we have, by chance, all ended up so differently? humans remain at the top of the food chain because of their ability to aquire understanding and knowledge, so obviously humanity's trait of psychological growth is the best choice for an evolutionary process. if evolution and natural selection follow what they claim, differences would be rare.
2007-01-23 16:40:52 · update #4
do you see my point? we evolved from singularity, the origin of life should also have followed the path of singularity. obviously psychological growth would be the most advantageous of the evolutionary process, why did evolution dictate this only upon humans? we do not think like animals, because our psychological growth is increasing in nature. what i learn cannot be taken away. physical growth is decaying in nature, we all die. what is the point of psychological growth as long as we live long enough to sow our seeds? that is the basic instinct of animals right? the exact point is that the whole basis of evolution is that of survival of the species. no other species in the world develops an emotional attachment to reproduce. the very fact that we exist at such a complex and delicate level negates the whole basis of evolution.
2007-01-23 16:54:00 · update #5
So being able to farm, harness fire, communicate, and create and use tools has no bearing on the likelihood of survivial? Did you ever stop to think that with our fragile bodies that is the ONLY reason we are still around?
2007-01-23 16:28:33 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Evolution does not explain all the mysteries of life. There is no need to abandon all sense of the mysterious in order to adopt evolution. Evolution, a s a scientific theory, does not make value judgements. It does not answer the quesiton of the value of life, of what's ethical and what is not, of what is the true nature of matter and existence, etc..., etc... Science simply does not answer metaphysical questions.
Now, I do believe that the theory of evolution is incompatible with a very narrow view of religion, which insists on taking things literaly. These people live inside a box and seem to think moderation is itself a sin. That is an antiquated view which defies all common sense and really does not need to be debated by serious people; evidence does not matter to these people, only scripture. There's no point in arguing with a brick wall.
But there is still plenty of room for sober, intelligent spirituality and faith. It is true that man shall not live on bread alone, but that is no reason to sacrifice reason and common sense.
"I do not think it is necessary to believe that the same God who has given us our senses, reason, and intelligence wished us to abandon their use, giving us by some other means the information that we could gain through them." - Galileo (At a time some religious people insisted the idea the earth revolved around the sun was incompatible with faith)
2007-01-24 00:32:05 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Another one!
A complex thinking structure enables a species to make and use tools. It enables one to see that they are mortal, and to plan for survival of a species beyond a single generation. The evolution of a very complex brain enables a creature to plan for long-term survival.
Quote:
then how come humans, who came after the animals
It's BECAUSE we came after the rest of the animals. One species is always the best endowed with a particualr trait. Dogs have the best evolved noses. Humans simply can't compete with that. Some species of birds (remember the term Eagle-eye?) can see much better than us. Bats have a sonar feature.
Humans aren't the best at EVERYTHING. We have a spectacular mind.
Evolution is predicated on traits that aid in survival. Our mental capabilities are exactly what have allowed a clumsy, non-weather tolerant, relatively weak and undefensible creature to survive. Without our complex mind and thought capabilities, we would be nothing but food.
2007-01-24 00:33:26 · answer #3 · answered by Deirdre H 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
how could it not? evolution by nature grants nearly every practical use for psychological growth in survival and reproduction...the 2 most important advantages in natural selection. and humans are not the only species that exhibit these qualities, merely the most advanced.
2007-01-24 00:35:24 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Watch baboon societies interact, particularly in grooming.
2007-01-24 00:34:42 · answer #5 · answered by novangelis 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get a life.
2007-01-24 00:26:49 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
So we could figure out new and better ways to eat, perhaps, and maybe stay alive.
2007-01-24 00:26:12 · answer #7 · answered by Atlas 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tell that to my dog, dolphin and pig.
2007-01-24 00:28:40 · answer #8 · answered by chuck 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Read more.
2007-01-24 00:27:52 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋