Evolution
-
Um... The Muslim, Indonesian, and evolutionist part is correct. I'm not so sure about the biologist part, because I'm not directly involved in biological research at the moment (currently working in a different but related industry)
Okay, thanks. So since you believe in the evolution theory, would you happen to know or at least analyze where from and how humans evolved to where we are today or is it just hypothesis? Do you believe our anatomical structure, behavioural patterns and living conditions may change in future or is already changing miniscular which we may not realize at all?
-
Peace Genteel,
Let me break down your question and answer each part
Would you happen to know or at least analyze where from and how humans evolved to where we are today or is it just hypothesis?
If I may rephrase, this question would consist of these
G Is human evolution just a hypothesis?
AP As with evolution of life in general, we have theories and facts. The facts we have extinct human fossils, apelike human fossils, genetic similarities. We observe the mechanism of evolution, which is mutation of DNA which produces variation among individuals, and natural selection among individuals. Scientists then offer explanations ('theories' of human evolutionary origins based on those facts.
This website is a good source for the evidence of human evolution. Mostly fossil humans
http//www.talkorigins.org/faqs/homs/NHM human evolution expert Chris Stringer explains the genetic evidence of human evolution.
http//www.fathom.com/feature/190159/Strictly speaking, you could say human evolution IS a hypothesis. But it's a hypothesis with good supporting evidence.
G Where did humans evolve?
AP From the available evidence I'd say most of our evolution, if we start from ancient apes, takes place in Africa. Ancient and modern human species have originated in Africa and migrated out of that continent.
G How did humans evolve?
AP The mechanisms of human evolution, if that's what you're asking, is the same as the mechanism of evolution of other living things. Variation meets natural selection over long periods of time results in evolutionary changes.
Do you believe our anatomical structure, behavioural patterns and living conditions may change in future or is already changing miniscular which we may not realize at all?
I see no reason to consider modern humans would no longer change physically. Our environment (living and nonliving) has, is, and will continue to change, which means natural selection is still working. Our behaviour pattern definitely changed--I'm sitting here editing manuscripts with a computer, whereas a recent ancestor of mine, say from 1000 years ago, might spend the afternoon tilling his ricefield. Go back further, say 10.000 years ago, and my ancestor would be a hunter-gatherer. Also, my normal life-span would be higher than those two ancestors. God willing, I might have a reasonable chance to live until 60 or 80, or 100 if I'm very lucky; whereas my ancestors from 1000 and 10.000 years ago might only live to 40 (but after they managed to have descendants, of course).
About minuscule physical changes, I've read various anecdotes saying humans are taller nowadays (might be from better nutrition), or less thick-skulled, or we have smaller teeth than our ancient ancestors. I'd need to check the data, but I suspect those might be true. I see no reason to consider the physical changes end with our current form, too. Who knows what changes the future may bring and what it may cause to our descendants' bodies (If they survived the change, of course!)
-
Thanks Andya. Though I've read compelling arguments on both the evolution and creation theories to some extent, I'm still not quite satisfied and continuing to give some thought. From religious or Quranic standpoint then, if "God's" laws do not change as claimed, then I believe the evolution theory would fail, but from nature's and scientific perspectives, it may be substantiated. Am I correct to view as such?
-
Thanks Andya. Though I've read compelling arguments on both the evolution and creation theories to some extent, I'm still not quite satisfied and continuing to give some thought. From religious or Quranic standpoint then, if "God's" laws do not change as claimed, then I believe the evolution theory would fail, but from nature's and scientific perspectives, it may be substantiated. Am I correct to view as such?
Well, I don't see how 'God's sunna do not change' would rule out evolution. If anything, evolution of life follows the same rules all the time natural selection of variation among individuals over time.
Also, I view evolution as one 'theory of creation'.
-
Well, I don't see how 'God's sunna do not change' would rule out evolution. If anything, evolution of life follows the same rules all the time natural selection of variation among individuals over time.
If "God's sunna does not change", how does that become evolution, in accordance to religious and to some extent scientific beliefs. I am not at all comfortable with God in the picture, simply because I do not know who or what this cosmological God is to begin with, but I do know who or what gods and Gods were in ancient times. Evolution (i.e. changing form) is the direct result of Nature and has nothing to do with GOD. Natural selection, by its own definition, defines a specific limitation; meaning that only certain things are selected to make a natural change and not everything changes form, right?Also, I view evolution as one 'theory of creation'.
I believe to some extent yes, but there's a fine line that seperates the two. Do you believe that only living and moving things evolve? How about stationary or solid immovable stuffs or "non-living" things?And by the way, do you believe the Quran (an alleged words of a cosmological fathomless GOD) promotes evolutionism, creationism or both?
Though I am not 100% certain, I believe the fossil theory is a bit exaggerated and can be misleading; what do you think?