Catholics and Evolution :: essays research papers

Catholics and Evolution     One of the most important questions for every educated Catholic of today is What is to be thought of the theory of exploitation? Is it to be rejected as unfounded and inimical to Christianity, or is it to be accepted as an completed theory altogether compatible with the principles of a Christian conception of the universe?     We must carefully distinguish between the different meanings of the words theory of evolution in order to give a clear and correct answer to this question. We must distinguish (1) between the theory of evolution as a scientific hypothesis and as a philosophical speculation (2) between the theory of evolution as based on theistic principles and as based on a materialistic and atheistic foundation (3) between the theory of evolution and Darwinism (4) between the theory of evolution as applied to the vegetable and animal kingdoms and as applied to man.(1) Scientific Hypothesis vs. Philosophical Speculation     As a scientific hypothesis, the theory of evolution seeks to determine the historical succession of the various species of plants and of animals on our earth, and, with the aid of palontology and other sciences, such as comparative morphology, embryology, and bionomy, to show how in the course of the different geological epochs they gradually evolve from their beginnings by strictly natural causes of specific development. The theory of evolution, then, as a scientific hypothesis, does not consider the gravel species of plants and of animals as forms directly created by God, but as the utmost result of an evolution from other species existing in former geological periods. Hence it is called "the theory of evolution", or "the theory of descent", since it implies the descent of the present from extinct species. This theory is opposed to the theory of constancy, which assumes the immutability of organic species. The scientific theo ry of evolution, therefore, does not concern itself with the origin of life. It merely inquires into the genetic relations of opinionated species, genera, and families, and endeavours to arrange them according to natural series of descent (genetic trees).     How far is the theory of evolution based on observed facts? It is understood to be still single an hypothesis. The formation of new species is directly observed in but a few cases, and only with reference to such forms as are closely related to each other for instance, the systematic species of the plant-genus nothera, and of the beetle-genus Dimarda.

Comparing the Message of The Rhodera, Each and All, and Hamatreya :: comparison compare contrast essays

The Message of The Rhodera, Each and All, and Hamatreya  We hear every day that we entert appreciate nature and that we try and conquer it but I begettert think anyone actu all(prenominal)y thinks about what that means. These three combine to regularise of nature and what Emerson appreciates about it. They also let nature have a say about what she thinks of humans. In The Rhodora a artless flower makes the speaker of the verse form consider his own creation. He talks of the beauty of this flower and how it rivals the rose. As Sidney stated, Emerson was really in touch with the beauty of nature. In other words, many the great unwashed in their discussion focused on the fact that these poems brought to our attention the incredible beauty of nature that we often overlook. To me, it goes much farther. Finally he states, in my simple ignorance, suppose The self-same Power that brought me there brought you. You can almost feel the light bulb go pip over the speakers he ad when he realizes that he is a part of a larger creation. He isnt separate from this flower the same force brought both of them to this world. He states that he was ignorant. most(prenominal) of us are ignorant of the fact that we are a part of a world that is made up of interlocking parts. We consider ourselves the top of the diet chain. (In reality if a lion got hungry enough hed eat us too.) Plants thrive off of the carbon dioxide that we produce and we thrive off of the oxygen that they produce. nature depends upon itself. We are part of that creation, not rulers over it. The speaker here finally realizes that both man and flower were put on this body politic by the same force and we depend upon each other. Nature makes him reflect upon his own creation.(This is similar to the idea brought up in the web hypertext on Naturemost people define nature as Not-human but we are natural beings. This poem is the realization of this statement.) In Each and All this idea is taken o ne step further. The speaker states, Thy life to thy neighbors creed has lent. All are needed by each one. In other words, all parts of life depend upon other components of life. He also talks of how he removed things from nature and got them home and all of a sudden they dont seem the way they were.