Evolution

Some friends have taken issue to me taking evolution for granted in the previous post. I think the topic begs a cent or two.

Years ago, as an undergraduate, I was giving a talk at a multidisciplinary conference on the 'evolutionary mechanisms that lead to macro-sociological institutions.' At the end, a philosophy major asked: 'Is evolution True?' I hesitated at the time: capitalized Truth is of magical proportions in philosophy.

Although today, I am still hesitant due to the history and stardust of capitalized Truth, I instinctively view evolution as small-t true.

I have seen evolution happen to various organisms with my own eyes. Its explanatory power that allows precise modeling and understanding of random appearing data from viruses to humans is highly compelling. I also fight evolutionary mechanisms daily by having to resort to new antibiotics as use of old ones causes selection of resistant bacteria.

Furthermore, evolutionary theory is one of the most beautiful, elegant and wise insights humans have managed so far. In my mind, it far surpasses relativity and quantum mechanics although they are far more mind opening. The standard model of particle physics, although wondrous, is also of no competition. Some philosophical and religious insights such as monotheism, democracy, and Confucianism are clearly on the list, but I believe evolutionary theory maintains the higher composite score.

Of course, every reader expects a word here about 'intelligent design.' However, I am not praising evolutionary theory as a statement on religion. There is far more to religion than creationism. If readers want, I can post on that later on.

Nonetheless, the issue of intelligent design theory is important. That's because it creates a huge hurdle to open thought regarding evolution. So much time is spent defending evolution or defending intelligent design that imagination, and new perspectives supported by data are stunted. Is evolutionary theory sufficient? Clearly what was stated in 'Origins of Species' is not. Many corrections and addendums make today's evolutionary theory far more robust and powerful. What space will today's theory occupy in tomorrow's understanding? I'm not sure, but we probably have a long way to go.

We are yet to have the equivalent insights of Einstein in physics happen in evolutionary theory. Hopefully, I will witness them in my lifetime.