Russel
Hendel in V3 #22 states:
>>>In a previous posting I argue
(quoting a Rand study) that life exists on
>>>other planets
in the same way it exists here...
>>>Thus it seems
plausible that life evolves in the same form on every
planet
>>>and the Torah comes after its prerequisites for its
being written.
Shlomo Godick then goes on to criticize my use of the term
evolution:
>mathematicians who study evolutionary theory ...conclude
the odds are low..
>evolution is not "benevolent" ...years away
from the Chesed of Avrohom ...
>Natural selection would more likely
favor the law of the jungle than the
>appearance of a kindly person
teaching the value of chessed and sacrifice....
>the appearance of
prophets and spiritual leaders who protect the weak
>against the
tyrannically strong is very un-evolutionary...
If one examines the above arguments one notes two things:
a) Shlomo does
not believe in the theory of evolution. I myself am a
mathematician, and
agree that the theory of evolution is false,
misleading and without merit. I
agree with Shlomo (about evolution).
However I did not use the word evolution in my article in a technical
sense
to denote a technical theory. So let me suggest that the word
development
be used.
b) Sholomo never once contradicted (or even cited) any idea in my
original
posting (He just attacked the use of the word evolution). I said on
any
planet people would "develop" and become aware of the need for charity
and
G-d would reward them by revealing Himself to them. There would be
an
Abraham etc The Torah would then "develop" naturally (of course by
Divine
Revelation but ONLY after the prerequisites...THAT was my point). In
fact
the Midrash that the Torah was given to Moses and not the Angels
because
angels cannot fulfill "Don't covet" "Dont steal" etc is consistent
with my
idea that the Torah can only "develop" after Abraham, Mosheh and
Egypt so
that people appreciate the prohibitions.
Russell Jay Hendel; Ph.d.;ASA; RHendel @ Mcs Drexel edu