Gregory Arago wrote:<!-- DIV {margin:0px;} -->
The key issue is that human beings are not 'just natural,' but
rather we are 'more than natural' as well.
Accepting for the moment your definitions of human and natural then
YES! although some on the list probably disagree. The advantage of
your definition is that the difference between humans and our nearest
common ancestor is emphasized and the commonality is minimized. Your
position has the potential downside of denigrating the physical and
animal in us, maybe somewhat Platonic. Likely your position is more
compatible and accepted by YEC, OEC and ID leaning people than by some
EC/TEs. I believe that you have indicated that your position is the
one accepted in all the human or social sciences.
The definition of nature on the list emphasizes the commonality and
potentially minimizes the differences humans have as a special entity
with an animal linage. Those holding a EC/TE position where the image
of God is something that evolved naturally would tend to accept the
definition on the list and oppose your definition. Of course there are
some ECs who believe that God intervened and thus imparted the image
which is the position I lean towards.
In some ways I prefer your definition but since the definition used
mostly on the list has a long history and custom and the fact that some
would find your definition objectionable, I don't think that it is
worth while to argue for your position. To me at least it appears that
you think the definition used in the HSS trumps that used in the
natural physical sciences and any meta scientific/theological
objections such as I alluded to above. To me some battles are not
worth fighting and when I sometimes forget and do try to fight, I hear
the melody of "The Impossible Dream" playing quietly in the background.
Dave W
ps The Impossible Dream comes from the musical Man of La Mancha which
tells the story of Don Quixote. One might crudely summarize the story
as tiling at windmills.
Tilting is jousting. 'Tilting at windmills'
derives from Cervantes' Don
Quixote - first published in 1604,
under the title The Ingenious Knight of La Mancha.
The novel recounts the exploits of would-be knight 'Don Quixote' and
his loyal servant Sancho Panza who propose to fight injustice through
chivalry.
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Received on Sun Nov 29 12:11:52 2009