Does evolution shine light on determinism?

PUBLISHER:

redshirt

Shaun Johnston:
In modern times we've made two revolutionary discoveries. One is, how changes in physical matter can be accounted for in terms of physical laws that can predict precisely what will happen next. Having given rise to science (how this can be studied) and industry (how it can be applied) this revolution is well under way.

The second revolution is, how emergence of species of living creatures can be accounted for in terms of them evolving from one another. This revolution, despite its promise of how much it could tell us about ourselves, remains stillborn through the mistaken application to it of principles coming out of the first revolution--reductive physicalism.

For this second revolution to advance it should be taken from under the wing of science and studied on its own terms. Tip: one recent product of evolution is creatures with minds. Minds are better studied through methods of the humanities than through those of science. Tell me, does this interest you?

Details: Written by Shaun Johnston Shaun Johnston; Published: November 30, 2012 November 30, 2012; Hits: 6955 6955

How we think the world works is bound to be influenced to some extent by our origin story, I believe. What we assume about our own nature will influence all our logic and natural philosophy. A dramatic change in origin story will throw into doubt all existing concepts. That’s what I believe happened a couple of centuries ago with the discovery that we, along with all other living creatures, evolved. I think we need to reconsider all our existing systems of logic and philosophy from scratch.

OK, I know that’s partly just a romantic phantasy. But let me give you an illustration. Let me suggest how the discovery of evolution throws light on the logic behind physical determinism. More...