evolution

May 23, 2001

Today I addressed a Christian school assembly on the theme of

Evolution. This is a sensitive subject for any main stream Christian

school to handle. I suppose they took a bit of a gamble in asking

me to contribute.

The talk was well received. Let me share with you some of the

salient points I tried to put across. It is a lengthy email (kindly

bear with it), hopefully some of the points developed in

this talk will generate interesting reaction from the list.

(I cannot remember the whole talk but it went something like...).

(1) The apparent conflict between the findings of Modern Science

(Biological as well as Physical) and the teachings in the Genesis

has to be tackled in a rational manner. The flaw is clearly with the

scriptures. It is important to tackle this head on. Any scripture

however elitist is always going to be limited. However grand the

prophet, however grand the absolute he is talking about, the

moment he opens his mouth to 'relate' his spiritual experience,

he is operating in the relative realm and as such faces serious

limitations. It is important to recognise that every scripture has

to operate within a certain framework regulated by time, place and

human circumstances. Else it becomes worthless.

All religions have two kinds of scriptures - those that touch on the

eternal values - dealing with the theology or philosophy and those

that try and convey the higher spiritual truths in an allegorical style

- in a story format - generating the mythological element.

The problem comes when the mythological element is accepted

as literally true and gets interwoven within the theology. This

is the problem faced by the Abrahemic faiths in trying to insist

that the world is perhaps no older than 4 to 10 thousand years.

Man appearing only about 4 thousand years back.

The physical sciences are quite sure (using radioactive dating

methods etc) in predicting the age of the earth to

be about 5 billion years, and the appearance of the first single

celled organism bearing that ingenious molecule - the DNA about

3.5 billion years back.

(2) The theory of Evolution put forward by Darwin and his

successors like Richard Dawkins is fine as it fits the facts

but there are some interesting elements that are missing.

At best it can best be described as a 'partial theory'.

The missing elements are not within the realm of present

day science but come out naturally from spiritual teachings.

(3) The elements that are missing are things like:-

(a) Purely random mutation of genes - will certainly face difficulty

in producing such complex beings as ourselves.

Mathematically it is considered to be highly improbable.

Each DNA strand has 1 million atoms.

Random mutation of such large numbers produce astronomically

high probabilities of chaos rather than ordered beings.

There is more at work here then mere chance.

This is not a minor error - these mutations and continuation of

mutations by billions of organisms (separately) throughout

billions of years is a continuing process (hence to consider

it to be a chance happening once in a while does not really satisfy).

The example is given of a hurricane going through a scrap-heap and

producing (by chance) a plane that can fly. We may even go along with

the scientist if he said this is just a one off. But that is not the case.

This

phenomenon is seen repeated billions of time over billions of years!

(b) The second unusual feature connected with evolution is seen

at the moment of conception.

In the initial process of gestrulation (the embryo formation process)

the cells are all identical with identical genetic code. How do they

differentiate their roles? The best response is given as 'there is a

chemical imbalance produced in the concentration gradient of the

chemical composition'. This is an 'analogue' phenomenon and does

not sit well with the 'digital genetic mutation' required for perfect

replications. Hence this is an interesting phenomenon not suitably

explained. The scientists say -" We will find a satisfactory answer

in the future". This is called:-

'Writing blank cheques on the future'. (not good enough).

is the name of the game". This would give permit for any strong

nation to wipe out a weak nation. Would be contrary to the ideas of

helping the weak or even allowing them to exist. Maybe the old

people who are past their 'replication stage' should be put to

sleep? Maybe we can create a clone of ourselves and use that

for bodily spare-parts? All these questions crop up. The present

day neo-Darwinians move away from getting involved with this

by saying, "In this respect we as humans have to back away from

what we observe in the animal kingdom".

But everything else they have said has implied that we are

the extension of the animal kingdom -

so why back off now? Not a clear explanation. Social science

may put up the excuse that we now (as a social animal)

recognise the idea of good of many is also good for the

individual. But a sarcastic opponent could say,

"Why care for the good of many? What is

so special about a soup of chemicals sitting in one cup

or many cups replicating or not replicating. Maintained or

flushed down a drain?"

What the spiritually oriented say about the missing

parts in the theory of evolution can be summed up as:

Yes, there is something evolving in nature - that something that

is evolving is not purely by random chance events but follows a

well directed process. It is that process that guides the

mutations of the genes, it is that process that is seen clearly

giving direction at the initial stages of gestrulation. It is by the wish of

that being trying to manifest itself fully that evolution happens.

That thing manifesting itself is variously called 'divinity' or

addressed in the old fashioned way as "God". It is the

infinite trying its best to express itself in the finite as 'you and me'.

And the reason why you give a hand to the weak is because it

is really you out there in another form. You are just helping yourself!

Nowhere else can we find a more rational explanation giving

a solid foundation for moral teachings.

When science begins to incorporate ideas such as these,

we will see a major move by many towards spirituality.

According to me this cannot be stopped. The role science

can play in highlighting spiritual teachings can perhaps be

best described as the most comprehensive boost for mankind.

We live in hope : )

jay

May 24, 2001

Namaste.

Swami Vivekananda expressed his views on this subject in

'Talks with Swami Vivekananda' ch XX (20) page 185.

The following are some of his thoughts:

The subject has been nicely discussed in the Sankhya

Philosophy. I am of opinion that the conclusion of the ancient

Indian philosphers is the last word on the causes of evolution.

Laws of struggle for existence, survival of the fittest,

natural selection and so forth have been put forth to be

the causes of elevating a lower species to a higher. But none

of these has been advocated as the cause in the

system of Patanjali. Patanjali holds that the transformation

of one species into another is effected by the "infilling of

nature". It is not that this is done by the constant struggle

against obstacles. In my opinion, struggle and competition

sometimes stand in the way of a being attaining its perfection.

.... To be continued.

With Love,

Raghava

May 24, 2001

> Swami Vivekananda expressed his views on this subject in

> 'Talks with Swami Vivekananda' ch XX (20) page 185.

> The following are some of his thoughts:

If the evolution of an animal is effected by the destruction

of a thousand others, then one must confess that this

evolution is doing very little good to the world.

Taking it for granted that that it conduces to physical

well-being, we cannot help admitting that it is a serious

obstacle to spiritual development.

According to Indian philosophers, every being is a perfect

Soul, and the diversity of evolution and manifestation of

Nature is simply due to the difference in the degree of

manifestation of this Soul.

The moment the obstacles to the evolution and manifestation

of Nature are completely removed, the Soul manifests Itself

perfectly. ....

....

If people can be made to desist from evil-doing by means of

spiritual instruction, there is no more evil in the world.

To be continued ...

With Love,

Raghava

May 27, 2001

When you are writing about Charles Darwins' Theory of Evolution, I feel

that our advaitin readers should learn more about "Origin of Species" , one

of the classic book written by Charles Darwin. The total book is available

in "Project Gutenberg " etexts. Here world's classic books are available

free of cost. Anybody can access. For more details, contact the following

link:

To access Project Gutenberg etexts, use any Web browser

to view http://promo.net/pg. This site lists Etexts by

author and by title, and includes information about how

to get involved with Project Gutenberg. You could also

download our past Newsletters, or here. This

is one of our major sites, please email hart,

for a more complete list of our various sites.

I have given below the contents of the world famous book "Origin of

Species". Any body who want full text may go to http://promo.net/pg

Religion is nothing but Science. Science is nothing but Religion.

n sugavanam

ORIGIN OF SPECIES - Charles Darwin.

CONTENTS.

INTRODUCTION

CHAPTER I.

VARIATION UNDER DOMESTICATION.

Causes of Variability -- Effects of Habit and the use or disuse of Parts --

Correlated Variation -- Inheritance -- Character of Domestic Varieties --

Difficulty of distinguishing between Varieties and Species -- Origin of

Domestic Varieties from one or more Species -- Domestic Pigeons, their

Differences and Origin -- Principles of Selection, anciently followed,

their Effects -- Methodical and Unconscious Selection -- Unknown Origin of

our Domestic Productions -- Circumstances favourable to Man's power of

Selection.

CHAPTER II.

VARIATION UNDER NATURE.

Variability -- Individual Differences -- Doubtful species -- Wide ranging,

much diffused, and common species, vary most -- Species of the larger

genera in each country vary more frequently than the species of the smaller

genera -- Many of the species of the larger genera resemble varieties in

being very closely, but unequally, related to each other, and in having

restricted ranges.

CHAPTER III.

STRUGGLE FOR EXISTENCE.

Its bearing on natural selection -- The term used in a wide sense --

Geometrical ratio of increase -- Rapid increase of naturalised animals and

plants -- Nature of the checks to increase -- Competition universal --

Effects of climate -- Protection from the number of individuals -- Complex

relations of all animals and plants throughout nature -- Struggle for life

most severe between individuals and varieties of the same species; often

severe between species of the same genus -- The relation of organism to

organism the most important of all relations.

CHAPTER IV.

NATURAL SELECTION; OR THE SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST.

Natural Selection -- its power compared with man's selection -- its power

on characters of trifling importance -- its power at all ages and on both

sexes -- Sexual Selection -- On the generality of intercrosses between

individuals of the same species -- Circumstances favourable and

unfavourable to the results of Natural Selection, namely, intercrossing,

isolation, number of individuals -- Slow action -- Extinction caused by

Natural Selection -- Divergence of Character, related to the diversity of

inhabitants of any small area and to naturalisation -- Action of Natural

Selection, through Divergence of Character and Extinction, on the

descendants from a common parent -- Explains the Grouping of all organic

beings -- Advance in organisation -- Low forms preserved -- Convergence of

character -- Indefinite multiplication of species -- Summary.

CHAPTER V.

LAWS OF VARIATION.

Effects of changed conditions -- Use and disuse, combined with natural

selection; organs of flight and of vision -- Acclimatisation -- Correlated

variation -- Compensation and economy of growth -- False correlations --

Multiple, rudimentary, and lowly organised structures variable -- Parts

developed in an unusual manner are highly variable; specific characters

more variable than generic; secondary sexual characters variable -- Species

of the same genus vary in an analogous manner -- Reversions to long-lost

characters -- Summary.

CHAPTER VI.

DIFFICULTIES OF THE THEORY.

Difficulties of the theory of descent with modification -- Absence or

rarity of transitional varieties -- Transitions in habits of life --

Diversified habits in the same species -- Species with habits widely

different from those of their allies -- Organs of extreme perfection --

Modes of transition -- Cases of difficulty -- Natura non facit saltum --

Organs of small importance -- Organs not in all cases absolutely perfect --

The law of Unity of Type and of the Conditions of Existence embraced by the

theory of Natural Selection.

CHAPTER VII.

MISCELLANEOUS OBJECTIONS TO THE THEORY OF NATURAL SELECTION.

Longevity -- Modifications not necessarily simultaneous -- Modifications

apparently of no direct service -- Progressive development -- Characters of

small functional importance, the most constant -- Supposed incompetence of

natural selection to account for the incipient stages of useful structures

-- Causes which interfere with the acquisition through natural selection of

useful structures -- Gradations of structure with changed functions --

Widely different organs in members of the same class, developed from one

and the same source -- Reasons for disbelieving in great and abrupt

modifications.

CHAPTER VIII.

INSTINCT.

Instincts comparable with habits, but different in their origin --

Instincts graduated -- Aphides and ants -- Instincts variable -- Domestic

instincts, their origin -- Natural instincts of the cuckoo, molothrus,

ostrich, and parasitic bees -- Slave-making ants -- Hive-bee, its cell-

making instinct -- Changes of instinct and structure not necessarily

simultaneous -- Difficulties on the theory of the Natural Selection of

instincts -- Neuter or sterile insects -- Summary.

CHAPTER IX.

HYBRIDISM.

Distinction between the sterility of first crosses and of hybrids --

Sterility various in degree, not universal, affected by close

interbreeding, removed by domestication -- Laws governing the sterility of

hybrids -- Sterility not a special endowment, but incidental on other

differences, not accumulated by natural selection -- Causes of the

sterility of first crosses and of hybrids -- Parallelism between the

effects of changed conditions of life and of crossing -- Dimorphism and

Trimorphism -- Fertility of varieties when crossed and of their mongrel

offspring not universal -- Hybrids and mongrels compared independently of

their fertility -- Summary.

CHAPTER X.

ON THE IMPERFECTION OF THE GEOLOGICAL RECORD.

On the absence of intermediate varieties at the present day -- On the

nature of extinct intermediate varieties; on their number -- On the lapse

of time, as inferred from the rate of denudation and of deposition -- On

the lapse of time as estimated in years -- On the poorness of our

palaeontological collections -- On the intermittence of geological

formations -- On the denudation of granitic areas -- On the absence of

intermediate varieties in any one formation -- On the sudden appearance of

groups of species -- On their sudden appearance in the lowest known

fossiliferous

Vivekananda Centre [vivekananda]

Wednesday, May 23, 2001 7:41 PM

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