Odds and Ends. 1. Are Humans Still Evolving? --an odd question, because it presupposes that evolving is something that goes on inside a species.

Odds and Ends

1. Are Humans Still Evolving?

--an odd question, because it presupposes that “evolving” is something that goes on “inside” a species.

1. Are Humans Still Evolving?

—Are variations still occurring? Yes.

—Are selective pressures at work? Probably, but maybe not.

—What will humans be like, 100,000 year from now? Who knows?

2. The Second Law of Thermodynamics

2. The Second Law of Thermodynamics

200° 100°

2. The Second Law of Thermodynamics

200° 100°

2. The Second Law of Thermodynamics

200° 100°

2. The Second Law of Thermodynamics

150°

2. The Second Law of Thermodynamics

150°

2. The Second Law of Thermodynamics

Warmth Disperses and Time Passes: The History of Heat, by Hans Christian Von Baeyer

3. What did Darwin himself believe about the relation

between evolution and religion?

Religious belief cannot be proved or disproved by arguments.

But “the advancement of science” undermines religious belief.

• Intelligent design and natural selection are “rival hypotheses.”• Now that natural selection is available, the hypothesis of intelligent design is no longer needed.

Thus, the discovery of evolution by natural selection weakens theism, by taking away one of the main reasons for believing in it.

Darwin on Man and the Other Animals

Human Dignity

Human life and interests are morally important; the lives and interests of other animals are not.

Human beings are:1. Rational2. MoralOther animals are not.

Philosophical and Religious Tradition

Aristotle: “Nature has made all things for the sake of man.”

The Bible:“And God said, Let us make manin our image, and let him havedominion over every living thing”.

Are humans the only rational animals?

“There is no fundamental difference between man and the higher mammals in their mental faculties.”

• Rengger’s monkeys

• Darwin’s worms

1. Intelligence is not all-or-nothing.

Three Morals:

2. The presence or absence of intelligence is an empirical matter.

3. No double standard for humans and nonhumans.

Are humans the only moral animals?

Are humans the only moral animals?

The basis of ethics: the social instincts

• Capt. Stansbury’s blind pelican

• Brehm’s baboons

Wild Minds

by Marc D. Hauser

Modern support for Darwin’s view

*Northwestern University Medical School, 1964

Human Dignity

Human life and interests are morally important; the lives and interests of other animals are not.

Human beings are:1. Rational2. MoralOther animals are not.

Philosophical and Religious Tradition

Aristotle: “Nature has made all things for the sake of man.”

The Bible:“And God said, Let us make manin our image, and let him havedominion over every living thing”.

Human Dignity

Human life and interests are morally important; the lives and interests of other animals are not.

Human beings are:1. Rational2. MoralOther animals are not.

Philosophical and Religious Tradition

Aristotle: “Nature has made all things for the sake of man.”

The Bible:“And God said, Let us make manin our image, and let him havedominion over every living thing”.