evolution

A Fertilized Egg is Not a Human Being

I have mentioned before that the question of when life begins is a question of politics, not science, and today, I’d like to return briefly to this concept.  Make no mistake — both an egg and a sperm are alive, and there is no time at which either stops being alive during fertilization.  You and … Continue reading »

Gaps in the Fossil Record

Thanks again to my reader, Russ, for inspiring a blog entry.  In a recent thread, Russ pointed me to a propoganda piece by the Institute for Creation Research.  I say propaganda because actual research has not been forthcoming from the institute since its inception.  Let me make this abundantly clear:  The Institute for Creation Research … Continue reading »

Evolution and Suffering

When I was born, Sociobiology had yet to be published.  By the time I began my first year of “life science” in school, it was still being talked about only in the most erudite of academic circles.  By the time I reached college, inklings of the dangers inherent in a sociobiological approach to humankind were beginning … Continue reading »

God’s just a dude.

Researchers at the National Institutes of Health have conducted a study which shows quite clearly how the human brain perceives and reacts to the idea of God.  The simple version of the story is that we think of God as just another person.  There is no “God part of the brain” which handles thoughts of … Continue reading »

Contemplating Evolution and Suffering

I watched several nature documentaries yesterday, since my whole city has been crippled by six inches of snow, and I had time on my hands.  (An inch of snow is rare here.)  One in particular struck me as thought provoking.  It was about killer whales and seals.   As many of my readers are probably … Continue reading »

Vatican gets it wrong… again

ROME (AP) — A Vatican cardinal said Tuesday that the Catholic Church does not stand in the way of scientific realities like evolution, though he described as “absurd” the atheist notion that evolution proves there is no God.

The cardinal went on to mention Richard Dawkins personally and to reiterate that it’s absurd to suggest that evolution proves that there is no God. He’s right of course. Evolution does not prove that there is no God. The thing is, Richard Dawkins, to my knowledge has never said that it does. Neither has PZ Myers. This is just another example of theists creating a straw man. Continue reading »

Theists in Foxholes

I’ve been gnawing on a rather gristly thought for the last couple of days, and I think I’ve finally broken it down into something manageable.  The Friendly Atheist posted a brief blog about an atheist who was attacked and stabbed by a knife wielding assailant.  The man did not cry out to god, nor did he … Continue reading »

The Evolution of Mind

One of the things that’s very tricky about trying to understand the human mind is that we cannot easily remove ourselves from our own perspective. We experience our own existence, and because of that, we often make unjustified assumptions about it. One of the goals of evolutionary psychologists is to explain elements of the human … Continue reading »

The “Mystery” of Love

I mentioned in the post on kissing that love is very much like an addiction.  Robert Palmer’s hit song “Addicted to Love” paints a vivid picture: Your lights are on, but you’re not home Your mind is not your own Your heart sweats, your body shakes Another kiss is what it takes You can’t sleep, … Continue reading »

C’mon Baby, Knock Me a Kiss!

When you pressed your little lips to mine, that was then i understood They taste like candy, brandy and wine, peaches, bananas and everything good I love jam and no film flam, scratch that off my list This ain’t no jam, the jam can scram Baby! c’mon and knock me a kiss These words are … Continue reading »