This is an elaboration of an offshoot of my "Why I'm not a Christian" topic (may it rest in peace).

I will define both the terms in my title, to avoid ambiguity.

Infinite Variation: The concept that, given an infinite amount of space and time, an infinite amount of possibilities will occur; in other words, anything is possible with enough time and space (the "100 Monkeys With Typewriters" Hypothesis)

Intelligent Design: The belief that the universe (or the earth, or the galaxy, or what have you) was created by an intelligent, powerful (sometimes all-powerful) being (God).

I'm going to start by addressing a narrow Intelligent Design argument: the human eye. The way the argument typically goes, is: "the human eye is so complex it couldn't have occured by evolutionary 'chance' alone". When applying "infinite variation", that argument is quickly rendered incorrect.

Given infinite variation, any amount of things could occur: including the high complexity of the human eye.

Obviously this argument could be extrapolated both for and against intelligent design; hence, the topic. Discuss.

[This message has been edited by deptstoremook (edited 08-17-2004).]

Can the force of natural selection as an algorithmic process help define the complex variations (which are infinite)?

This topic just came up in another thread, and I suggested a book by Daniel Dennett, "Darwin's Dangerous Idea"

Here's a quick web-review:

http://www.scientificexploration.org/jse/bookreviews/11-2/dennett.html

You'd dig this book, I think.

Word.

Some serious discussion.

Wait, your "why i'm not..." thread is gone?

BLASPHEMY, MAKE ME CO-MOD I SAY LOST.

quote:Originally posted by aTribeCalledSean:

Word.

Some serious discussion.

Wait, your "why i'm not..." thread is gone?

BLASPHEMY, MAKE ME CO-MOD I SAY LOST.

I agree. I hate it when things disappear 1984 style.(actually got swim banned once)



Lock it, don't delete it.

I would kill and die for the 1st amendment of the U.S. constituion.