Sean Carroll's Mindscape: Science, Society, Philosophy, Culture, Arts, and Ideas 206 | Simon Conway Morris on Evolution, Convergence, and Theism
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Aug 8, 2022 Simon Conway Morris, an emeritus professor of evolutionary paleobiology at Cambridge University, dives into fascinating discussions on evolution and its myths. He argues for the power of evolutionary convergence, asserting that adaptations eventually prevail even after mass extinctions. The conversation touches on the intersection of faith and science, exploring how theistic views can coexist with evolution. Additionally, Morris critiques traditional evolutionary narratives and highlights the complexities of cognitive abilities in humans versus animals, challenging common perceptions.
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Evolutionary Biology's Rut
- Darwinian evolutionary thinking has become somewhat static, focused on technological advancements.
- The field needs a reevaluation of established ideas, or "myths", not necessarily fictional, but ripe for re-examination.
Mass Extinctions Accelerate Evolution
- Mass extinctions accelerate evolutionary developments, giving mammals a leg up after the dinosaurs' demise.
- Mammals possess advantageous traits like social behavior, warm-bloodedness, and larger brains, increasing their evolutionary success.
Mammalian Predation
- Mammals were already diversifying and exhibiting predatory behavior towards dinosaurs before the asteroid impact.
- Their inherent advantages suggest their eventual dominance, regardless of the mass extinction event.