Comments for AtheistExile.com http://www.atheistexile.com Sat, 18 Feb 2012 07:03:25 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Comment on A New Argument for God? by Roy Nileshttp://www.atheistexile.com/2012/02/06/an-argument-for-god/#comment-740 Roy Niles Sat, 18 Feb 2012 07:03:25 +0000 http://www.atheistexile.com/?p=1647#comment-740 I should add that even when the learned behavior is transmitted as cultural lessons, it speeds up the adaptation of the physical structures that will need to use the newer strategies. I should add that even when the learned behavior is transmitted as cultural lessons, it speeds up the adaptation of the physical structures that will need to use the newer strategies.

]]> Comment on A New Argument for God? by Roy Nileshttp://www.atheistexile.com/2012/02/06/an-argument-for-god/#comment-738 Roy Niles Sat, 18 Feb 2012 05:23:11 +0000 http://www.atheistexile.com/?p=1647#comment-738 Actually there's evidence that if the experience is wide spread in the population over time, then the epigenetic changes persist until they become fixed in the population as heritable traits. All of our behavioral instincts were at one time learned reactions to experience. We don't know precisely how the new strategies become transcribed genetically in animals, but it clearly occurs in such as bacteria, for example. Also different groups of chimpanzees have learned and inherited different tool using traits, and same species of birds have inherited different songs in different regions, etc.. Actually there’s evidence that if the experience is wide spread in the population over time, then the epigenetic changes persist until they become fixed in the population as heritable traits. All of our behavioral instincts were at one time learned reactions to experience. We don’t know precisely how the new strategies become transcribed genetically in animals, but it clearly occurs in such as bacteria, for example. Also different groups of chimpanzees have learned and inherited different tool using traits, and same species of birds have inherited different songs in different regions, etc..

]]> Comment on A New Argument for God? by adminhttp://www.atheistexile.com/2012/02/06/an-argument-for-god/#comment-736 admin Sat, 18 Feb 2012 04:34:52 +0000 http://www.atheistexile.com/?p=1647#comment-736 Although it can be trans-generational (3 or 4, max), as I understand it, epigenetics does not make permanent alterations to DNA; so it can't alter the evolution of a species. Although it can be trans-generational (3 or 4, max), as I understand it, epigenetics does not make permanent alterations to DNA; so it can’t alter the evolution of a species.

]]> Comment on A New Argument for God? by Roy Nileshttp://www.atheistexile.com/2012/02/06/an-argument-for-god/#comment-703 Roy Niles Thu, 16 Feb 2012 05:06:54 +0000 http://www.atheistexile.com/?p=1647#comment-703 Good book, according to the reviews. It shows that evolution is more closely related to experience than the stochastic selection theories will admit to. Think about the experience of other creatures, and how they might have evolved accordingly. Then wonder if this might reflect some intelligently driven responses to experience on their part. Good book, according to the reviews. It shows that evolution is more closely related to experience than the stochastic selection theories will admit to.
Think about the experience of other creatures, and how they might have evolved accordingly. Then wonder if this might reflect some intelligently driven responses to experience on their part.

]]> Comment on A New Argument for God? by adminhttp://www.atheistexile.com/2012/02/06/an-argument-for-god/#comment-702 admin Thu, 16 Feb 2012 04:29:19 +0000 http://www.atheistexile.com/?p=1647#comment-702 My horse only drinks Perrier. I bought him from Michael Jackson. All that expense, and he won't even let me ride him. For some reason, he'll only let young boys mount him. I got gypped! My horse only drinks Perrier. I bought him from Michael Jackson. All that expense, and he won’t even let me ride him. For some reason, he’ll only let young boys mount him. I got gypped!

]]> Comment on A New Argument for God? by adminhttp://www.atheistexile.com/2012/02/06/an-argument-for-god/#comment-701 admin Thu, 16 Feb 2012 04:28:02 +0000 http://www.atheistexile.com/?p=1647#comment-701 Right now, I'm reading "Epigenetics" by Richard C. Francis. It's pretty interesting stuff and dumbed down to be more accessible to laymen. Nontheless, it's a pretty good education. Right now, I’m reading “Epigenetics” by Richard C. Francis. It’s pretty interesting stuff and dumbed down to be more accessible to laymen. Nontheless, it’s a pretty good education.

]]> Comment on A New Argument for God? by Roy Nileshttp://www.atheistexile.com/2012/02/06/an-argument-for-god/#comment-700 Roy Niles Thu, 16 Feb 2012 03:53:07 +0000 http://www.atheistexile.com/?p=1647#comment-700 Well, horse to the water and all that. Well, horse to the water and all that.

]]> Comment on A New Argument for God? by Roy Nileshttp://www.atheistexile.com/2012/02/06/an-argument-for-god/#comment-699 Roy Niles Thu, 16 Feb 2012 03:33:08 +0000 http://www.atheistexile.com/?p=1647#comment-699 Well remember that science comes actually from the philosophy of science, and depends on that philosophy to speculate and form hypotheses for experimental testing. And if you are into determining and explaining purposes, it's the philosophic part of the system that does that better than the experimental part. (In my opinion.) And don't forget to bone up on evolutionary biology (the newer stuff of course). Well remember that science comes actually from the philosophy of science, and depends on that philosophy to speculate and form hypotheses for experimental testing. And if you are into determining and explaining purposes, it’s the philosophic part of the system that does that better than the experimental part. (In my opinion.)
And don’t forget to bone up on evolutionary biology (the newer stuff of course).

]]> Comment on A New Argument for God? by adminhttp://www.atheistexile.com/2012/02/06/an-argument-for-god/#comment-698 admin Thu, 16 Feb 2012 03:20:22 +0000 http://www.atheistexile.com/?p=1647#comment-698 We'll have to agree to disagree on this one, Roy. We’ll have to agree to disagree on this one, Roy.

]]> Comment on A New Argument for God? by adminhttp://www.atheistexile.com/2012/02/06/an-argument-for-god/#comment-697 admin Thu, 16 Feb 2012 03:11:01 +0000 http://www.atheistexile.com/?p=1647#comment-697 Hi Roy, Well, quantum mechanics certainly opens the door to a strange and counter-intuitive universe. The truth of reality might well be far removed from our experience of it. I think scientists know they need to be open to all possibilities but even they are subject to confirmation bias and other human frailties. But that's what the scientific method is for; to weed out such errors. Nothing's perfect but, as far as I know, nothing's better at building our base of knowledge. I would never claim absolute certainty and neither would any scientist worth his salt. It seems we're in agreement there. As for the rest, I enjoy discussing ideas from all quarters . . . it's the exchange that matters: you know, sharing with and learning from each other. Agreement is not a requirement. I'm perfectly fine with agreeing to disagree. Of course I always hope to persuade but I certainly don't demand agreement or feel offended for its lack. We all have minds of our own and I think most of us find disagreement more compelling than consensus because it draws out our differences. Most importantly, I've gotten a glimpse of your perspective and you've gotten a glimpse of mine and the exchange is preserved here to give others food for thought and, perhaps, spark further comments that flesh out new ideas. That's certainly the case for me as I peruse and participate in various discussions around the Internet. Hi Roy,

Well, quantum mechanics certainly opens the door to a strange and counter-intuitive universe. The truth of reality might well be far removed from our experience of it. I think scientists know they need to be open to all possibilities but even they are subject to confirmation bias and other human frailties. But that’s what the scientific method is for; to weed out such errors. Nothing’s perfect but, as far as I know, nothing’s better at building our base of knowledge. I would never claim absolute certainty and neither would any scientist worth his salt. It seems we’re in agreement there.

As for the rest, I enjoy discussing ideas from all quarters . . . it’s the exchange that matters: you know, sharing with and learning from each other. Agreement is not a requirement. I’m perfectly fine with agreeing to disagree. Of course I always hope to persuade but I certainly don’t demand agreement or feel offended for its lack. We all have minds of our own and I think most of us find disagreement more compelling than consensus because it draws out our differences.

Most importantly, I’ve gotten a glimpse of your perspective and you’ve gotten a glimpse of mine and the exchange is preserved here to give others food for thought and, perhaps, spark further comments that flesh out new ideas. That’s certainly the case for me as I peruse and participate in various discussions around the Internet.

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