hi, fintan:
i went to the only country that has a musical instrument for its national
emblem this summer and can now really understand the passion and intensity
behind your words. irish genes are definitely not anglo-saxon. there is a
world of difference between holy head and dublin that is readily recognized
by someone who cares to observe.
you disagree with the selfish gene theory and call a butterfly's
transformation "poetic". i say that there is a little bit of both in nature
without it being a paradox. the selfish gene can survive by being
poetically beautiful. every biological system finds a niche in which it can
thrive. there are many worms that eat through cabbages and apples, but
there is another ecological niche that can be filled by moths and
butterflies, as well.
besides, selfish is an intellect term (much like anger is) which the
biological would not even recognize....it is simply trying to survive
whichever way it can.
welcome to the squad,
Lithien
http://members.tripod.com/~lithien/Lila2.html
-----Original Message-----
From: Fintan Dunne <findunne@iol.ie>
To: Lila Squad <moq_discuss@moq.org>
Date: Thursday, October 29, 1998 8:00 PM
Subject: Re: MD The slippery slope
>> Bodvar wrote:
>>
>> Biological Morals do not contain "mercy", the life of other
>> individuals has no value at that level. What matters is survival and
>> proliferation. Through this "SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST" Life has grown
>> ever more diversified,
>>
>
>Hi Bo, Squad,
>
>Yes I am familiar with the Darwinian explanation of life. It is of course
>a metaphor for Capitalism, ie it is essentially a political credo NOT a
>biological one.
>
>Richard Dawkins has futher developed this concept of the SELFISH GENE.
>He has, of course taken this to heart. Even among his admirers he has a
reputation
>for sneering arrogance second to none.
>
>Perhaps you could explain to me then something which Dawkins could not when
I put
>it to him on his last visit to Ireland.
>
>If genes are so focussed and 'selfish' what on earth is the humble
catterpillar up to
>when it wraps itself in a cocoon and symbolically dies......only to emerge
as a
>transcendent beautiful butterfly.
>
>Why did it not evolve by REMAINING a catterpillar and continuing to chomp
away
>at the cabage instead of going through this incredibly 'wasteful' routine.
>
>I put it to you that nature is naturally POETIC not MECHANISTIC and that is
why.
>The catterpillar is a SYMBOL of transcendance.
>
>
>All the best folks
>
>
>Fintan
>findunne@iol.ie
>
>Fintan
>
>
>
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