Re: MD EVOLUTION TO COMPLEXITY (hiatus interuptus)

From: pacodegallo@attbi.com
Date: Sun Oct 27 2002 - 17:48:10 GMT


STEVE:
> I wasn't on the list for the beginning of this
thread, and I can't figure
> out what the issue is that is being debated.
> Is the question "what is the purpose of biological
evolution"?

PACO:
This was one of the original questions, yes. There were
several other versions and spin offs though.

STEVE:
> Is Paco arguing that purpose is a byproduct of
evolution, and it is somehow
> not meaningful to ask the purpose of evolution itself?

PACO:
I have indeed argued the first point. As for whether
it is meaningful to ask the purpose of evolution, I
would say it is more meaningful to look at the emergent
outcomes rather than to think in terms of
anthropomorphic purposes.

STEVE:
> Is someone else arguing that the purpose of evolution
is to increase
> complexity???

PACO:
Some have. My argument is that increasing complexity
is possible, has occurred, but that it is by no means
the dominant trend of evolution. It certainly isn't
the PURSPOSE.

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