RE: [asa] First Animal?

I said:
"That is a powerful work and term."

I meant to say:
"That is a powerful word and term."

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From: asa-owner@lists.calvin.edu [mailto:asa-owner@lists.calvin.edu] On Behalf Of Dehler, Bernie
Sent: Thursday, October 01, 2009 8:44 AM
To: ASA
Subject: RE: [asa] First Animal?

Asking about the 'first animal' is like asking about 'the first human' or looking at a baby developing in the womb and asking 'when can you first see the nose develop.'

It is impossible to determine when the nose develops... it gradually arises. Just like life, just like consciousness.

That's my take, and why I'm against the 'first Adam' (or against a literal Adam) and against the idea of a soul. What you observe to be the soul of someone (when you observe them) now also exists in other animals, only to a lesser degree. It is all about "emergence." That is a powerful work and term. Its corollary is 'dissipation.' As the 'soul' (consciousness) emerges (from children), it also dissipates (in old age).

That's my take.

...Bernie
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From: asa-owner@lists.calvin.edu [mailto:asa-owner@lists.calvin.edu] On Behalf Of Gregory Arago
Sent: Wednesday, September 30, 2009 10:42 PM
To: ASA
Subject: [asa] First Animal?

Hey All,

A perhaps simple or silly question, but it came to mind nonetheless and since in another thread people are speaking again about 'Adam,' 'the man,' perhaps 'the first man' categorically speaking, I was thinking in another direction.

Is there a 'generally agreed upon' (arrgghh, this word 'consensus') example of a/the 'first animal'?

As the story goes, life from non-life, inorganic to organic, more and more 'complex' organisms, etc.

Is there a moment when a 'first animal' appears in natural history and if so, what was the 'first animal', categorically speaking (via Linnaeus)?

Gen 1: 20 indicates water creatures, then birds. But we can look to natural-scientists too. (e.g. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080410153648.htm)

Thanks to Murray for saying "modern conceptions of historiography don't apply." So, it is perhaps a simple or silly question, nonetheless, it is one that has now been asked.

Warm regards (from plus 5 Spb),
Gregory

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Received on Thu Oct 1 12:03:37 2009