Post by yenchihlee on Mar 13, 2016 23:45:16 GMT
1. Why is the theory of evolution so important in understanding how human beings behave?
Studies of the evolutionary biology focus on finding evidence to support Darwin’s idea of evolution by natural selection. Why are human beings born with the current physical structure? It is because human beings, evolved from our ancestors, keep the current features for improving our chances of reproductive success and survival (Diem-lane, 2014, p15). Similarly, studies of the evolutionary psychology also attempts to explain that human beings’ psychological traits are the productions of natural selection (Science Daily, 2016). In addition, the new field of evolutionary philosophy focuses on the evolution of human consciousness. In other words, a scientific approach is taken to understand how our brains function. For instance, neuroscientist Karl Friston claims that our brains function to minimize free energy or prediction error (Diem-lane, 2014, p36) which suggests that when there is enough free time and energy that one could concentrate on thinking, he will find the best solutions to his problems. Clearly, the theory of evolution clarifies the functions of human beings’ bodies and minds. Based on the knowledge, we will be able to understand how we behave the way we are.
Science Daily (2016) Evolutionary psychology. Retrieved on March 12, 2016 from www.sciencedaily.com/terms/evolutionary_psychology.htm.
2. Which questions do you think evolutionary theory cannot answer?
The evolutionary theory emphasizes that life is formed and evolved with a purpose to survive. Natural selection will lead the way toward improving future chances of survivals. Clearly, sufficient time and space are needed to let species to evolve. For instance, 4.6 billion years ago the Earth was formed with no life at all. But today, there are various species with a huge amount of quantities. One question which is not able to explain by the theory of evolution is: Why was there life created in the evolution of the Earth itself? So far, there are no any proper scientific answers, except the Gaia theory which suggests that the organic life was created to sustain the inorganic nature (Gaia Theory, 2016). Another question is: How could the unconscious cells and molecules evolve and turn into conscious existences (neuralsurfer, 2013)? Besides, among all species on the Earth, why do human beings stand out to be the dominant one right now? One more challenging question is: What will human beings evolve into after 100 or 200 years later? Based on the theory of evolution, we could certain try to outline some answers. For instance, Darwin believed that the natural selection process embedded in the evolution itself would trigger the transformation of the unconscious cells to conscious existences (neuralsurfer, 2013). Also, based on the theory of evolution, human beings must have overcome the natural selection process to become the dominant species. Furthermore, human beings may evolve toward a better creature to fit into the future world unless there are other species running out of the natural selection process to suppress human beings. However, above answers are not supported by any concrete evidence which makes the theory of evolution become another kind of religion. Unless people believe in it, the above-stated questions are still challengeable.
neuralsurfer (2013) The Darwin-Wallace debate on the mind of man / How far does natural selection extend? Retrieved on March 13, 2016 from www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLlfCIKfR9c.
Studies of the evolutionary biology focus on finding evidence to support Darwin’s idea of evolution by natural selection. Why are human beings born with the current physical structure? It is because human beings, evolved from our ancestors, keep the current features for improving our chances of reproductive success and survival (Diem-lane, 2014, p15). Similarly, studies of the evolutionary psychology also attempts to explain that human beings’ psychological traits are the productions of natural selection (Science Daily, 2016). In addition, the new field of evolutionary philosophy focuses on the evolution of human consciousness. In other words, a scientific approach is taken to understand how our brains function. For instance, neuroscientist Karl Friston claims that our brains function to minimize free energy or prediction error (Diem-lane, 2014, p36) which suggests that when there is enough free time and energy that one could concentrate on thinking, he will find the best solutions to his problems. Clearly, the theory of evolution clarifies the functions of human beings’ bodies and minds. Based on the knowledge, we will be able to understand how we behave the way we are.
References
Diem-Lane, Andrea, (2014) The DNA of Consciousness: A brief introduction of evolutionary philosophy. Mt. San Antonio College. 67pages. Science Daily (2016) Evolutionary psychology. Retrieved on March 12, 2016 from www.sciencedaily.com/terms/evolutionary_psychology.htm.
2. Which questions do you think evolutionary theory cannot answer?
The evolutionary theory emphasizes that life is formed and evolved with a purpose to survive. Natural selection will lead the way toward improving future chances of survivals. Clearly, sufficient time and space are needed to let species to evolve. For instance, 4.6 billion years ago the Earth was formed with no life at all. But today, there are various species with a huge amount of quantities. One question which is not able to explain by the theory of evolution is: Why was there life created in the evolution of the Earth itself? So far, there are no any proper scientific answers, except the Gaia theory which suggests that the organic life was created to sustain the inorganic nature (Gaia Theory, 2016). Another question is: How could the unconscious cells and molecules evolve and turn into conscious existences (neuralsurfer, 2013)? Besides, among all species on the Earth, why do human beings stand out to be the dominant one right now? One more challenging question is: What will human beings evolve into after 100 or 200 years later? Based on the theory of evolution, we could certain try to outline some answers. For instance, Darwin believed that the natural selection process embedded in the evolution itself would trigger the transformation of the unconscious cells to conscious existences (neuralsurfer, 2013). Also, based on the theory of evolution, human beings must have overcome the natural selection process to become the dominant species. Furthermore, human beings may evolve toward a better creature to fit into the future world unless there are other species running out of the natural selection process to suppress human beings. However, above answers are not supported by any concrete evidence which makes the theory of evolution become another kind of religion. Unless people believe in it, the above-stated questions are still challengeable.
References
Gaia Theory (2016) Overview. Retrieved on March 13, 2016 from www.gaiatheory.org/overview/. neuralsurfer (2013) The Darwin-Wallace debate on the mind of man / How far does natural selection extend? Retrieved on March 13, 2016 from www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLlfCIKfR9c.