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Location: Fort Worth; but my heart is in Cleveland!!
Posts: 238
Evoloution theory?
I'm not too sure where to post this ridiculous question I've been thinking about. Biology is my best guess. There is a theory that humans evolved from apes. (I myself am a Catholic, and don't belive this theory, but that's besides the point) If this is so, why are there still apes? I know it sounds so stupid and there's probably an easy logical explanation, but I never claimed to be a genius Just something I wonder from time to time.
Both we and modern day apes are evolved from a common ancestor which was an ape which is now extinct. Here we branched from one another, evolving under different conditions which forced us to end up looking different.
Be sure to realise that evolutionary theory is one of the most solid and far reach theories in science. It has applications in many of the sciences and has been altered over the years to fit new evidence (scientific theories are not static like religious theories).
I see no reason to suppose that other species are evolving very slowly, what brings you to that conclusion tickle? Why are they any slower at evolving than us?
Doesn't it seem odd that the "ape" that you claim we evolved from is now extinct? When did it become extinct? Why are we as humans still not evolving into bigger and bigger and completely different beings? Or did evolution of humans just stop?
mountainman, we are still evolving. Why do you think we are not?
It doesnt seem odd that the ape is now extinct, no. Their offspring, by definition of the theory of evolution, were more fit to compete for food and mates. Leaving any that do not evolve to be better to become less numerous and eventually extinct.
I have found myself questioning my religion from time to time, because there is so much scientific proof behind Darwin. However, in the end, I find more comfort in my faith in God.
See the thing is I don't believe there is a direct conflict between creationism and evolution. The only time such a conflict exists is when one subscribes to a totally literal interpretation of the Bible. I believe that one can maintain and find comfort in their faith in God without disputing the findings of Darwin.
Have you ever seen or read Inherit the Wind? I believe that some intelligent force created our universe. Did that intelligence specifically create an Adam and Eve? Did that intelligence create the flora and fauna as they exist today? I don't believe that because science doesn't support it. But I believe that intelligence create a framework of biological, chemical and physical laws that shaped a figurative Adam and Eve.
So my point is that you don't have to feel conflicted between your faith in God and what science has proven. You just have to understand that the Bible need not be taken totally literally.
capuchin, I am not the expert on the evolution theory..how have we evolved in say the last 2000 years or does only minor occur every say million years?
It is indeed interesting to contemplate whether man will continue to evolve, and if so, in what way? The theory of evolution is all about "survival of the fittest" - that is, those individual creatures who have a particular modification in their genes that give them an advantage in surviving long enough to have more babies than the other creatures will have a better chance of passing their genes on to subsequent generations. For animals this typically means that those who are better able to out-run predators, or who are better able to find food, or who are better able to survive the elements, or who ar more disease-resistant, will tend to have more babies than those who aren't, and so their positive traits are passed on.
But for modern humans our ability to survive to the age of 20 or 30 and have babies has little to do with these things any more. Consequently the tendency for "strong" traits to be passed on over "weak" ones in humans in the future will be tremendously diminished. For example, diabetics who used to not survive past childhood can now live to have plenty of children with the help of modern medicine. Consequently we may find the percentage of people who have diabetes increasing over time. Same thing with asthma. The leading cause of death among teenagers is accidents - so perhaps those who are most daring (careless?) will have fewer babies. Put all this together and it may be that the human race could become a bunch of sickly wimps!
It is indeed interesting to contemplate whether man will continue to evolve, and if so, in what way? The theory of evolution is all about "survival of the fittest" - that is, those individual creatures who have a particular modification in their genes that give them an advantage in surviving long enough to have more babies than the other creatures will have a better chance of passing their genes on to subsequent generations. For animals this typically means that those who are better able to out-run predators, or who are better able to find food, or who are better able to survive the elements, or who ar more disease-resistant, will tend to have more babies than those who aren't, and so their positive traits are passed on.
But for modern humans our ability to survive to the age of 20 or 30 and have babies has little to do with these things any more. Consequently the tendency for "strong" traits to be passed on over "weak" ones in humans in the future will be tremendously diminished. For example, diabetics who used to not survive past childhood can now live to have plenty of children with the help of modern medicine. Consequently we may find the percentage of people who have diabetes increasing over time. Same thing with asthma. The leading cause of death among teenagers is accidents - so perhaps those who are most daring (careless?) will have fewer babies. Put all this together and it may be that the human race could become a bunch of sickly wimps!
but is this more adapting than biologically evolving?
Just something I wonder from time to time.
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