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Soylent Green Is People
GargIndia
...For example if a pin pricks my finger, I feel pain and show by expressions. However if the same pin pricks a dead body, that dead body does not show any pain by its expressions as it does not feel any pain....
I like that example. If consciousness is something inherent in all atoms, then why does dead body lack a consciousness, but a live "working" body has a consciousness?
The same atoms (same brain chemicals) present in the live body are present in the dead body, so what has changed? Why did "consciousness" leave the dead body when the same atoms are still there? What changed on the atomic/quantum level? Did anything change?
GargIndia
Would like to know more about the experiments you are talking about.
GargIndia
You have made several points yesterday, and I am replying without quoting for brevity.
1. Fossils - Yes fossils can add to our understanding of the past biosphere existing on earth. However a theory still needs to be prove experimentally in the labs.
2. You quoted view of a University about fossils or observations of stars.
I have no issue with any observations. We support human's quest for discovery.
My point is not about observations, but creation of a theory and teaching of that theory in all schools of the world without actually proving the theory.
The facts remains that TOE remains unproven till date. However many theories have fallen by the wayside but this one stands due to highly political nature of the theory.
Is Evolution a Theory or a Fact?
It is both. But that answer requires looking more deeply at the meanings of the words “theory” and “fact.”
In everyday usage, “theory” often refers to a hunch or a speculation. When people say, “I have a theory about why that happened,” they are often drawing a conclusion based on fragmentary or inconclusive evidence.
The formal scientific definition of theory is quite different from the everyday meaning of the word. It refers to a comprehensive explanation of some aspect of nature that is supported by a vast body of evidence.
Many scientific theories are so well established that no new evidence is likely to alter them substantially. For example, no new evidence will demonstrate that the Earth does not orbit around the Sun (heliocentric theory), or that living things are not made of cells (cell theory), that matter is not composed of atoms, or that the surface of the Earth is not divided into solid plates that have moved over geological timescales (the theory of plate tectonics). Like these other foundational scientific theories, the theory of evolution is supported by so many observations and confirming experiments that scientists are confident that the basic components of the theory will not be overturned by new evidence. However, like all scientific theories, the theory of evolution is subject to continuing refinement as new areas of science emerge or as new technologies enable observations and experiments that were not possible previously.
One of the most useful properties of scientific theories is that they can be used to make predictions about natural events or phenomena that have not yet been observed. For example, the theory of gravitation predicted the behavior of objects on the Moon and other planets long before the activities of spacecraft and astronauts confirmed them. The evolutionary biologists who discovered Tiktaalik (see page 2) predicted that they would find fossils intermediate between fish and limbed terrestrial animals in sediments that were about 375 million years old. Their discovery confirmed the prediction made on the basis of evolutionary theory. In turn, confirmation of a prediction increases confidence in that theory. *
GargIndia
3. I said that religions have been intruded by atheists. You asked for proof?
Where do I start? This has happened to every religion and the evidence will run into millions of pages.
Are Christians learning the word of Jesus as the Jesus told and meant?
Are Muslims learning the word of Muhammed the way Muhammed told and meant?
One needs to ask these questions. The religion has been politicized no end.
GargIndia
The Vedic teacher says that spiritual discovery is at individual level. Each soul develops spirituality by effort. The teacher's job is in teaching the methods and benefit. There is no group or herd that can achieve spirituality together. Each soul is independent and free. Each soul is responsible for its actions.
GargIndia
You quoted a paragraph from a book. Would you mind telling me about the author and name of book?
Authors
Committee on Revising Science and Creationism: A View from the National Academy of Sciences; National Academy of Sciences; Institute of Medicine (IOM); National Academies
Description
How did life evolve on Earth? The answer to this question can help us understand our past and prepare for our future. Although evolution provides credible and reliable answers, polls show that many people turn away from science, seeking other explanations with which they are more comfortable.
In the book Science, Evolution, and Creationism, a group of experts assembled by the National Academy of Sciences and the Institute of Medicine explain the fundamental methods of science, document the overwhelming evidence in support of biological evolution, and evaluate the alternative perspectives offered by advocates of various kinds of creationism, including "intelligent design." The book explores the many fascinating inquiries being pursued that put the science of evolution to work in preventing and treating human disease, developing new agricultural products, and fostering industrial innovations. The book also presents the scientific and legal reasons for not teaching creationist ideas in public school science classes.
Mindful of school board battles and recent court decisions, Science, Evolution, and Creationism shows that science and religion should be viewed as different ways of understanding the world rather than as frameworks that are in conflict with each other and that the evidence for evolution can be fully compatible with religious faith. For educators, students, teachers, community leaders, legislators, policy makers, and parents who seek to understand the basis of evolutionary science, this publication will be an essential resource.
GargIndia
The theories like atomic structure of matter, heliocentric theory, and cells in living bodies are supported by direct evidence 'today'. You do not have to go back in time and learn from fossils.
TOE is no way in the same category as the above theories. Finding a hypothetical 'animal' at a hypothetical time is part of the same grand plan where the evidence itself is so fragile and non-replicable. So it boils down to believing your author, whatever he says.
GargIndia
As far as Vedic 'religion' is concerned, this topic does not belong here. You need to learn a lot. This is all I can say.
GargIndia
I do not believe in religion as it serves no purpose.
I believe in truth, and truth only. And my view is not colored by your "Science".
God is an important part of our world. Only fools deny that.
I believe in true knowledge - which includes the knowledge of matter as well as knowledge of soul and the knowledge of God.
Any methods or instruments that help me get true knowledge are welcome.
It is far better to grasp the universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring.
Carl Sagan
GargIndia
Why you say so? What do you know about 'Hindu' that I do not know?
The Vedas are the primary literary works, containing sacred verses and hymns composed in Sanskrit and taking on their current form around 1500 B.C. The Rig Veda was the first of the four Vedas. The Samaveda, Yajurveda and Atharvaveda followed later.
Caste System:
Indian society has traditionally been divided into a hierarchical system called caste or jati, which is not limited to Hindus, but which most Hindus have observed throughout history. It is hereditary and each caste has its own set of values, rules, dietary beliefs, etc. Many do not marry outside their castes.
There are four major varnas or social classes most caste members fall into:
- Brahmans - the priests and other educated professionals.
- Kshatriyas - warriors and those who own a lot of land.
- Vaishyas - formerly the farmers, now those involved in commerce; merchants.
- Shudras (some sources say Sudra) - the lowest of the social classes. Made up of laborers, artisans, and other servants.
There are some that do not fall into any of these categories, and they are now considered part of the Scheduled Caste. They are lower than the Shudras on the hierarchy, and they are people who perform "unclean" work, such as leather working and street cleaning. They have been called untouchables, Dalits, Harijans or backward castes. Although Hinduism teaches that discrimination and prejudice go against the idea of the divinity of all beings, both sometimes exist within the caste system.
Mahatma Gandhi called these untouchables "children of God." Although the 1950 Indian constitution outlawed "untouchability," violence against them continues.
SimonPeter
reply to post by SuperFrog
At the time of Carl Sagans death I believe I heard that he had broken from the ranks and was researching the possibility of creation by Intelligent design or something to that effect . He must have lost faith in spontaneous creation .