lets say evolution is true?

Question

even so, isn't it obvious that there would have to be some thinking going on somewhere in order for it to happen?

I'm a glutton for punishment

Answer 1

*eyeroll*

No, it's not obvious. We don't need your god of the gaps here or anywhere else.

Answer 2

Not necessarily.

The theory of evolution plays on two subsets - genetics and "survival of the fittest", which are pretty much intertwined when you really look at them.

1) Genetics - what makes us who we are, from the color of our eyes to our height and so much more. Genes are passed on from our parents through a neat little process in which the father's DNA and the mother's DNA combine to form a completely new set of DNA, resulting in a unique child. However, because this process is so complex, there is always the possibility that something will go wrong - that's where we get genetic mutations such as Downs Syndrome and other such syndromes. Despite the fact that this is "natural" (no outside force was used to create the mutation), the person is less capable of taking care of himself, and often has physical and biological handicaps that, sadly, make his life expectancy less than the norm. This is where we turn to our second subset.
2) Survival of the fittest - the hunter versus the hunted, the strong versus the weak, it all comes down to two things: genetics and nature. For example, a healthy, unscathed gazelle is much more likely to survive in the wild than a healthy, wounded gazelle, for obvious reasons. The same applies for humans. Let's say someone has a genetic mutation - their muscles are abnormally large. They're like normal people otherwise; they eat right (though the occasional trip to McDonald's doesn't hurt), they exercise, go to school, etc. However, because they have bigger muscles than most and they work out, they are likely to be stronger. In a violence-ridden place, they are more likely to be able to defend themselves/intimidate others, and will therefore most likely survive longer than weaker, scrawny people. Because he lives, he can now pass on this genetic mutation since he has proved the theory of survival of the fittest. Over time, it's possible that this new large-muscle gene will spread throughout the population and become the new norm - of course, this will take thousands of years, but it's possible nonetheless.

Both of these subsets show that it is entirely possible that, if the theory of evolution is in fact true, it didn't necessarily require the help of a higher being, that nature can change itself over time.

Answer 3

Of course not - that's the whole point. If the origin of life was intelligently directed or designed then it wouldn't be called evolution, it would be called creationism.

What you have to remember is that reproduction is an imperfect process. Even though your DNA is very good at repairing 'mistakes' in copying itself, random mutations do occur - it's simply not possible for living organisms to keep reproducing and stay the same, because all those unavoidable mutations mean that change is absolutely inevitable. The sum effect of all those random mutations, under the pressure of natural selection, is evolution, by definition. If it wasn't random, it wouldn't be evolution.

Answer 4

Okay: "Evolution is true."

Why is it "obvious" that there has to be a conscious entity? If humans are the only animal that has religion, and we are at the top of the food chain because of our ability to conceptualize, predict, and create, then it seems MORE obvious that human ego and fear of death was more likely to personify the unknown.

It is human nature to justify anything, and making up canned answers like God and religion saves us from admitting there are things we fear or simply cannot understand.

My ego is fine with not knowing everything, and therefore I do not need religion in my life.

Answer 5

Wow Clintea, you're a smart one aren't you. This just shows a complete lack of knowledge about the very thing your denying. Apes are around because modern apes and humans have a common ancestor. Humans aren't the sum of the evolution of all ape species that have ever lived.

Answer 6

Natural selection works like "thinking" over millions of years.

Picture thousands of marbles falling down. Eventually patterns emerge in "how" they fall. Evolution is like that. Repeated trials, billions of times, produce forward progression.

Answer 7

All it takes is some part of an animal anatomy to get inside ours and BAM! 2000 years later and brand new race of humans.

So, it could easily happen.

Answer 8

No it would be determined by natural selection. The most fitting and one with the best natural characteristics would survive. This would be determined by the surrounding area of the creature.

Answer 9

OK. That is possible.
Also, as long as you know that God did it.
He did it, what methods He used doesn't matter.
If He used the big bang, so?
If he used the stretch em upper, so?
If He spoke and it was there, so?

Answer 10

Evolution is not true. If it were, why are apes still around?