So macro-evolution cannot be defined as "the origin of novelty"
>>unless creation [which Steve also defined as "the origin of novelty"]
is ruled out of court, as not scientific.
>
>Bill>I think loose definitions are frequently part of the problem in
>>origins discussions. But Steve's line of reasoning is incorrect.
>>The fact that creation and macro-evolution could both be considered
>>the origin of novelty does not mean that they conflict, or that one
>>of them must be "ruled out of court as nonscientific".
>
Steve: I could only agree if if "creation" and "macro-evolution" are
>redefined in such a way that either means something other than what
>it
>normally means. But this is just a verbal shell game. Upturn the
>shells by defining your terms, and we will see where the pea is! :-)
Steve, the mere fact that two terms can have the same or similar
definitions does not mean that one of them is wrong. Polish up your logic,
my friend. If I say that iron and brass are both metals, both statements
are true.
By creation I mean acts of God that bring about something new. I don't
care whether God acts directly or through an intermediary. If the result
is something genuinely new, that the intermediary could not have
accomplished on its own, then it's creation. (Of course as a Calvinist I
don't believe an intermediary could accomplish anything -- or even exist --
on its own.)
By evolution I mean variations in the distribution of alleles in a
population from generation to generation. By macroevolution I mean changes
in taxa above the species level (yes, I stand corrected. My biology major
son looked it up for me today. ).
>
>How about it Bill?. Please define exactly what you mean by "creation"
>and "macro-evolution" in the sentence:
>
>"The fact that creation and macro-evolution could both be considered
>the origin of novelty does not mean that they conflict, or that one
>of them must be `ruled out of court as nonscientific' " (Bill
>Hamilton)
As I said before, just because a single definition can be applied to two
different terms does not mean one of them is wrong, false or nonexistent.
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William E. Hamilton, Jr., Ph.D.
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Rochester, MI 48306
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