Do you feel we have enough evidence to conclude that the current laws of physics explain evolution?

Question

"evolution" means " the totality of evolution": the entire family tree with time in view of natural events.
"explain" means "explain in principle", not "computationally predict everything".
"current laws" exclude vague models.

To situate this question in its context, here are my answers to related questions:

Do mechanisms such as descent, mutation, gene flow, natural selection, etc. make *plausible* that the family tree is explained by physics? Yes, but still life may be special and it is not the original domain of physics.

Do they have predictive power in the family tree? Yes.

Do the laws of physics explain the totality of life? Most likely no.

Do the laws of physics explain some aspects of life? Sure, it is called biophysics. However, it uses specific models as evidence when it applies.

My bet is that your answer to the question depends on the way life is special for you. If you're a Creationist, no evidence is enough. I'm not a creationist, but still life is special for me.

To Bibs: You don't need to be religious to question whether the current laws of physics can explain the totality of evolution. Do you mean that the totality of evolution is a religious issue outside the range of physics or even science?

Yes, you are right that I could rephrase the question in terms of science in general. However, most people believe that biochemistry can *in principle* be reduced to physics, the difficulty being only a computational one. This in itself is a much related question. Can we reduce biochemistry to current physics? Can we explain the totality of evolution via current physics? Two closely related questions !

In fact, if we cannot reduce biochemistry to current physics, then most likely we cannot explain the totality of evolution via current physics. However, the opposite is not true.

I do think the question is more clean when formulated in terms of physics than if formulated in terms of science in general.

To runningman0220: Thanks for a direct answer. This is what I want. However, do you really mean that you are sure that current physics cannot explain (*even only in principle*) evolution? Again, it does not have to computationally predict evolution. I personally think that most likely new fundamental laws applies at this level, but I don't know for sure. It could be that the problem is only that the system is computationally complex. What I know is that I don't accept that there is enough evidence to conclude that the current laws are sufficient (even only in principle). I am curious to see the opinion of others, at the least those on Y!A category physics.

Answer 1

Physics tells us what we know about how the DNA mechanism works. That knowledge is far from complete, but we still have a reasonable understanding of it. Biologists take that knowledge from physics as a foundation and build upon it. If you pool the knowledge from all relevant fields of science, we have a rather good understanding of how the properties of an organism are determined by the DNA of its parents. We also understand the impact of genetic mutations. They are nearly always harmful. At conception, they result in birth defects. In a growing or mature organism, they often result in cancer. Nearly everyone could acknowledge the possibility that all variations of dogs descended genetically from an initial prototype dog. There's just no evidence for concluding that, say, dogs and fish descended from a single prototype. Science can't explain that, though many make the claim. It's a conjecture without evidence.

Answer 2

it could take longer than 2 hours for: a million. a individual to income all of the data for the theory of evolution, technique it, and confirm it to be fake. 2. a individual to verify each of how in the process the Bible, technique it, and confirm it to be fake. the two factors are incredibly rapid to choose each so often. It took me 17 years to make your strategies up the place I stand.

Answer 3

Do not look for religious answers in science, or or scientific answers in religion. Another thing, what is this focus on physics? Have you considered the impact of the other sciences on evolution. A major item would be biochemistry.

Answer 4

lol, I don't believe that there is enough proof to say that evolution definatly did take place..I don't believe that there is enough religious proof (oxymoron?), that there is a All powerful being that created us all. But I refuse to tie myself down to a set of beliefs till I get a considerable amount of proof. I study all types of theorys. from religions to creation. Your last couple lines pretty much says it all. I'm an agnotsic btw.

Answer 5

No, we are nowhere near the point where physics equations can explain evolution.