Wasp Evolution & Animal Urbanization
The evidence of wasp evolution around my home is an example of animal urbanization, i.e., how living things adapt to encroaching humanity.
Biology
Nature vs Nurture
Beautiful Chaos
I remember overhearing a man talking about how hard he was working to ensure that his lawn was nothing but uniformly green St. Augustine grass, thick, neat edgings, and without crab or monkey grass.
To my mind, yards like that look a bit sterile.
Kooks or Canaries? (Part I)
If you have been reading here, you are probably aware that I am a physician. Which is interesting, because my wife is largely anti-medicine, or at least resistant to medical approaches. She belongs to some on-line groups that look at alternative medicine, and who emphasize the importance of a healthy diet. We get along fine. … [Read more…]
The Black Death, Perfume, and Tobacco Addiction
Could tobacco addiction and the perfume industry be a legacy from the Black Death of the 14th century?
Why did God Create the Fossil Record? or, Mommy, Where Did You Put My Tail & Gills?
In the previous post, we continued with the argument that many religious adherents assert, that God created the universe and all life, with only some minor changes coming from evolution thereafter. Given those premises we then asked, Why did He leave clues to suggest something else is going on? Let me offer a solution for … [Read more…]
Tony Kushner, Darwinism, & Scientific Dogmatism
How Tony Kushner introduced me to Darwinism, how Darwin exceeds the scientific method, and how that disconnect illustrates scientific dogmatism.
A Theological Defense of Darwinism, Intro
Yesterday I posted a defense of creationism. I would guess that some fundamentalists cheered. “Not so fast, my friend.” I’m not on anybody’s side. I’m on everybody’s side which if you think about it, means I’m opposed to sides altogether. I’m trying to get people to talk, and listen to one another. And to do … [Read more…]
Faith vs Religion
Related: Secular Faith & Scientific Zeal Yesterday I related a story in which my father admitted his own occasional doubts about God. Some might think it sacrilege to doubt God, particularly for a man of the cloth. I also noted in my opening post that there seems to be a lack of faith from certain … [Read more…]
Compassion vs Survival, & Pragmatism
We think of compassion as a universal moral position, but when the choice is compassion or survival, pragmatism will always win out.