Is god a code monkey?

[sonofdad]

Would an almighty, all powerful, all knowing being, create a whole universe by specifically tailoring every single entity in it? Wouldn't that be a pretty simple minded way of achieving things?

Say we're talking about a computer programmer. Which would you be more impressed by?
a) One that spends his whole life manually writing millions of simple, programs each serving one function.
b) One that writes one relatively simple program, or even a simple mathematic formula, capable of automatically and continuously generating new and improved programs of infinite variety and complexity.

 

[savagewind]

Is it possible to imagine that life, except for one kind, originated according to evolution? Man may have been different. Man IS different, is he not?

 

[freethinker44]

Man IS different, is he not?

I don't see a difference. Except for purely superficial differences, we're just another ape, except weaker and slower, but better tool-users.

 

[savagewind]

I don't see a difference. Except for purely superficial differences, we're just another ape, except weaker and slower, but better tool-users.

Language is not so different than non language? Hm. Maybe you have something there.

 

[savagewind]

Oh here's another one. You do see a difference. Neither do I. But sometimes I imagine I HEAR a difference.

 

[sonofdad]

Is it possible to imagine that life, except for one kind, originated according to evolution? Man may have been different. Man IS different, is he not?

That would be pretty odd, given that we share genetic material and traits with all species on the planet, plus fossil evidence suggesting many different variations of human like species through history.
That along with evidence of microevolution through the known history of humanity.

I don't think man is that different. Our brain is more complex and better capable of abstract thought and causal relationships than any other species, but there are perfectly plausible evolutionary reasons for that.

 

[freethinker44]

Language is not so different than non language? Hm. Maybe you have something there.

The majority of human communication is non-verbal, like animals. It's interesting you used language as an example, because language is the only human behavior that is directly linked to biology. All others are learned.

 

[freethinker44]

But sometimes I imagine I HEAR a difference.

:areyoucra We have medication for that now.

 

[savagewind]

The majority of human communication is non-verbal, like animals. It's interesting you used language as an example, because language is the only human behavior that is directly linked to biology. All others are learned.

Huh? Language is directly linked to biology. All other human behavior is learned. (note to self: must look up "behavior").

OK while I do that...what does being linked to biology mean?


ps Did you steal my meds?

 

[savagewind]

Done.

Not this one; anything that an organism does involving action and response to stimulation

This one?; The way in which one acts or conducts oneself

 

[freethinker44]

Huh? Language is directly linked to biology. All other human behavior is learned. (note to self: must look up "behavior").

OK while I do that...what does being linked to biology mean?


ps Did you steal my meds?

It means it is the only behavior shown to be instinctive.

 

[savagewind]

It means it is the only behavior shown to be instinctive.

I do not understand. I hear you saying language is linked to biology which you are saying means language is instinctive which means unlearned. Please clarify.

 

[savagewind]

My examples of instinctive. The obvious is going to the bathroom. Unlearned. Suckling. Unlearned. Eating too. Sex, unlearned. That's all I can think of for now as you have stole my meds.

 

[savagewind]

I think I know what you are saying. The "instinct" to communicate is the only characteristic missing in all other animals. Is that right? Language itself must be learned, I am sure.

 

[sonofdad]

Done.

Not this one; anything that an organism does involving action and response to stimulation

This one?; The way in which one acts or conducts oneself

I have no idea what that means.

I think I know what you are saying. The "instinct" to communicate is the only characteristic missing in all other animals. Is that right? Language itself must be learned, I am sure.

I believe the capacity for language is instinctual, the capacity for the brain to arrange complex information into abstract patterns (or words, sentences, pictures, etc).
I'm sure freethinker44 is not stating that we are borne knowing any particular language.

 

[freethinker44]

I think I know what you are saying. The "instinct" to communicate is the only characteristic missing in all other animals. Is that right? Language itself must be learned, I am sure.

Communication is common in all higher forms of animal life. I am saying we are not special because we have speech, speech isn't even our primary means of communication, the majority of our communications are non-verbal. All I am saying is that, for sure, language is the only human behavior that can be said to be most animalistic.

I believe the capacity for language is instinctual, the capacity for the brain to arrange complex information into abstract patterns (or words, sentences, pictures, etc).
I'm sure freethinker44 is not stating that we are borne knowing any particular language.

Yes. The capacity for language is instinctual.

 

[savagewind]

OK. I shall not argue language is not instinctual. It may or may not be. He said it is the only instinctual thing about humans. That is what I don't understand. Of course it is not the only thing.

 

[savagewind]

I have no idea what that means.

OK? Thanks for sharing.

 

[freethinker44]

OK. I shall not argue language is not instinctual. It may or may not be. He said it is the only instinctual thing about humans. That is what I don't understand. Of course it is not the only thing.

But it is. The general consensus among sociologists is that humans do not have instincts. Our capacity for language is the only thing that comes close. All of our behaviors are learned.

 

[savagewind]

But it is. The general consensus among sociologists is that humans do not have instincts. Our capacity for language is the only thing that comes close.

Define instinct. I think it means unlearned behavior. To learn needs teaching. People know how to do lots of things without the things being taught.