What are the Spiritual qualities of Evolution?

[Random]

Let us assume that the concept-theory of Evolution as presented by scientific orthodoxy is an indisputible fact: as in, It Happened and IS Happening and we all know it (somehow...depending on whose "evidence" you're prepared to accept, I suppose)

Now, what, if any, are the spiritual qualities of it? How does/can Evolution as both a factual premise and an intellectual reference point enhance, nourish and feed our human Spirit?

What impact does evolution have on the intangible characteristics of a human being which one may summarily call the psyche, soul or mind and what does it imply for these aspects of ourselves? Now please don't be dull and say it's all down to the material Brain, which is an irrational answer @ the very least...I'll report you for thread-kill if you do that.

I am looking for imaginative though not necessarily speculative answers here: the key component for that is avoiding reductionism, I feel.

So what do you think?

If a person chooses to view, philosophically, Evolution as a sort of "progression" towards some other (higher?) State of (human?) Being, is this of value? If so, why? If not, why?

For me, what is implicit in a well studied appraisal of Evolution is that Nature, whilst having no centre, does not lack direction. This opens the door for the spiritual aspects of it, which I believe can be subjectively experienced and perhaps objectively agreed upon (eventually).

All opinions welcome, thank you in advance.

Random/Conor

 

[Quiddity]

I think you'll find that the "Super" in natural will begin to take a tangible form. I haven't the foggiest idea how exactly that will unfold, but it's deffinately interesting. I love these brain overload type of questions....

 

[Random]

I think you'll find that the "Super" in natural will begin to take a tangible form. I haven't the foggiest idea how exactly that will unfold, but it's deffinately interesting. I love these brain overload type of questions....

The "Super" in Natural will become manifest? I agree and love it, but problem is maybe Dan Dennett wouldn't...know what I mean?

 

[Quiddity]

The "Super" in Natural will become manifest? I agree and love it, but problem is maybe Dan Dennett wouldn't...know what I mean?

No......do explain.

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

Now, what, if any, are the spiritual qualities of it?

None.

If a person chooses to view, philosophically, Evolution as a sort of "progression" towards some other (higher?) State of (human?) Being, is this of value?

No, it is a misconception.

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

Now please don't be dull and say it's all down to the material Brain, which is an irrational answer @ the very least...I'll report you for thread-kill if you do that.

In other words, you wish to push an agenda rather than discuss a topic. Perhaps you should move this out of the debate forums ...

 

[MaddLlama]

Does evolution have to have a spiritual quality? I think one can work around scientific principles and have a spiritual life that doesn't interfere with science, but I don't think there's anything in science that is spiritual on its own.

And, for the record, I was unaware that presenting an argument in a debate that someone doesn't like is against the rules. To me, it is all in the brain. All spirituality and philosophy is. What makes these things real is the way you interpret your experiences. Interpretation is a function of the brain. Go ahead and report me.

 

[Guitar's Cry]

Evolution was able to create the species that we call humanity. By being human, we give humanity a specific meaning through shared history, scientific study, and--my favorite--artistic creation.

Evolution has created a creature that can extend its personality into physical form through painting, music, literature, and spirituality.

Perhaps evolution is a process designed to bring about species that can evolve into superintelligent beings capable of surviving past the contraction of the Universe back into an instanton, and being there to reseed life back into it once it expands again...

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

Perhaps evolution is a process designed to ...

... but, of course, that is not what the theory of evolution suggests.

 

[Guitar's Cry]

... but, of course, that is not what the theory of evolution suggests.

It did to me. That's not a belief of mine, just an interesting idea I have...

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

It did to me.

Then you should try not to contaminate science with wishful thinking. Evolution is intentionless.

 

[Guitar's Cry]

Evolution is intentionless.

Humans are not. In fact, we tend to convolute everything with meaning.

Then you should try not to contaminate science with wishful thinking.

But I am not. I am in no way presenting my idea as science. I am instead taking a scientific idea that is perfectly free for interpretation and twisting it with my imaginative mind into something that is no way ruining the sanctity of science. (True daughter of Old Time thou art! - Poe)

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

I am instead taking a scientific idea that is perfectly free for interpretation and twisting it with my imaginative mind into something that is no way ruining the sanctity of science.

That you are perfectly free to interpret does not imply that scientific theories are open to unconstrained interpretation. You are twisting evolution into that which is in fact contraindicated. Put differently, you are distorting/abusing the term.

 

[Random]

No......do explain.

I meant that, just like so many here, the eminent philosopher, Nature-worshipper and celebrity Atheist Dan Dennett would reject any attempt to bridge the gap between "natural" and "supernatural", whereas you or I might see no real distinction.

Anyway, aside from Victor and GC, very dissapointing answers so far...

I asked what aspects of Evolution as a concept and a fact could feed the human Spirit and most of you, despite my request in the OP, replied with all too "correct" materialistic reductionist answers, and Jay with a blunt "None", which cannot be true I'm afraid, no matter what perspective you take on it.

Spirit can mean "Awareness" too. Could not one of you begin to imagine the profound affect Evolution might have on the consciousness of a believer? Even Richard Dawkins calls Darwinism a "consciousness-raiser".

I do not think the question is too deep for a moments reflection. Perhaps someone out there will understand, hmm?

But will they answer?

 

[MaddLlama]

I meant that, just like so many here, the eminent philosopher, Nature-worshipper and celebrity Atheist Dan Dennett would reject any attempt to bridge the gap between "natural" and "supernatural", whereas you or I might see no real distinction.

Anyway, aside from Victor and GC, very dissapointing answers so far...

I asked what aspects of Evolution as a concept and a fact could feed the human Spirit and most of you, despite my request in the OP, replied with all too "correct" materialistic reductionist answers, and Jay with a blunt "None", which cannot be true I'm afraid, no matter what perspective you take on it.

Spirit can mean "Awareness" too. Could not one of you begin to imagine the profound affect Evolution might have on the consciousness of a believer? Even Richard Dawkins calls Darwinism a "consciousness-raiser".

I do not think the question is too deep for a moments reflection. Perhaps someone out there will understand, hmm?

But will they answer?

I realize that you think it does have some sort of innate spiritual quality, but that doesn't mean that others of us who disagree are not allowed to have a differing opinion or present it.

Seeing some sort of spiritual quality in nature is different from seeing it in the process of evolution. The process and complexity of evolutionary process can be awe inspiring, yes, but that's not the same as evolutionary theory being spiritual in itself. Many things are awe-inspiring to people, but that doesn't give each of those things a spiritual quality that everyone has to acknowledge. You seem to be mistaking your personal perspective for a perspective everyone should have. We're all individual people with different outlooks. Nothing has to be spiritual to everyone.

In science, as it stands now, there is no bridge between natural and "supernatural".

Like I said, it's all in the interpretation. There is nothing about evolution that everyone can interpret in some sort of inspiring or spiritual way. Each of our perspectives is colored by our beliefs, and therefore what spiritual qualities one does or doesn't see in any scientific theory is subjective. Even as a pantheist myself, I don't see anything that is inherently spiritual in evolution (as in, without a human interpretation slapped on it), and I'm not sure why you're suggesting that it absolutely has to have one.

 

[Aupmanyav]

the key component for that is avoiding reductionism, I feel.

You want to box, but you do not want to face a champion.

Humans are not. In fact, we tend to convolute everything with meaning.

Because evolution is meaningless (surprise, surprise), humans strive to find a meaning.

 

[BruceDLimber]

Hi!

IMHO the short answer is, "apples and oranges!"

As a Baha'i, I'm both religious and also accept evolution!

But science and religion are two distinct and largely non-overlapping domains, and neither is competent to answer the other's questions!

Science addresses the "how" of existence; religion the "Who" and "why."

And the quickest way to get into trouble is to attempt to use either of these without the other, or to try to use either in the role of the other!

This is why I'm afraid your question is a non-starter: spirituality is the domain of religion, and science can't address it!

Simple as that.

Peace,

Bruce

 

[doppelganger]

The Spirituality of Evolution is that it's a step toward taking "human" out of the primacy of the universe as we regard it. It opens the window to thinking about how we categorize organisms and our connection to "natural" systems rather than our perceived dominion over them and separation from them.

It is yet another folk inflection of the elementary idea.

 

[Aupmanyav]

Science addresses the "how" of existence; religion the "Who" and "why."

Science (Human Curiosity) will address all questions, whether you want to allow it or not. Creation and evolution are questions of science and not of religion.

The Spirituality of Evolution is that it's a step toward taking "human" out of the primacy of the universe as we regard it.

Science does not support primacy of humans, religion does it.

 

[doppelganger]

Science does not support primacy of humans, religion does it.

Correct. That was my point.