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Two types of biological evolution

Lateral Evolution Upward Evolution
  • "The inherent complexity in a creature manifests itself in the descendents as a result of environmental factors"
  • is achieved when C(D) ≤ C(A)
    (complexity of descendent is no greater than complexity of ancestor)
  • has been observed in living systems
  • is consistent with all known laws of science
  • is consistent with the fossil record
  • is consistent with Christian theism and Biblical revelation
  • has been, to some degree at least, simulated by computer programs
  • requires the mechanisms of genetic mutation / recombination and natural selection, which are well-understood
  • presupposes the existence of self-reproducing creatures
  • can legitimately be considered a theory, or perhaps a law
  • "The ancestry of all existing living organisms can be traced, via purely natural causes, to a single-celled organism, and eventually to non-living matter"
  • requires C(D) > C(A)
    (complexity of descendent is greater than complexity of ancestor)
  • has never been observed in living systems
  • has never been simulated on a computer
  • is not supported by the fossil record
  • violates well-known laws of science:
    • The second law of thermodynamics
    • Mendel’s laws of genetics
    • Virchow’s Omnis cellula e cellula ("all cells come from preexisting cells")
    • Pasteur’s Law of Biogenesis, Omne vivum ex vivo ("all life is from life")
  • violates the repeated observation that natural systems do not generate complex specified information
  • requires a mechanism that has never been explicitly proposed
    (thus the transitions remain a mystery:
      non-life → single independent self-reproducing cell → interdependent, muti-celled, anatomically symmetric, sexually reproducing creatures → intelligent, morally conscious, creative creatures)
  • is based upon the philosophy of naturalism, which cannot account for
    • persistence of identity
    • free will / moral responsibility
    • universal code of ethics
    • laws of logic / mathematics
    • origin of information and language
  • can at best be considered a conjecture, or hypothesis

© 2003,2004,2005 Stanley T. Birchfield. Permission granted to copy and distribute.