Natural Selection, or “survival of the fittest,” is the mechanism which is usually proposed to drive evolution. It seems obvious that those organisms, which are more “fit” in a particular environment or under particular conditions, will be those that survive.
However, by itself, natural selection has no power to “create” anything. At best, all it can do is “choose” between organisms that already exist. Thus, it has no power to explain the origin of a new trait. Furthermore, since survival depends upon a whole suite of traits, selection for only one particular trait would be rare. In addition, observations have shown that highly specialized organisms may have an advantage in a very specialized environment, but are much less likely to survive in less specialized environments or under changing conditions.
Thus, as an evolutionary force, natural selection does not seem to have what it takes to explain the origin or diversity of the vast array of organisms observed on this planet. For more information on the inability of both Mutation and Natural Selection to explain evolution, please see the article on What’s the Evidence.
Originally published in the September/October issue of Think and Believe.
2 Comments
“Natural selection” does not “know” of an alternative choice. Chemical pathways always respond to their environment. Chemical (and physical) systems always have some “forcing function” that is not optional.
Only a “mind” can choose and “Mother Nature” has no mentality.
I think you are right, Jack. Natural Selection is a process that just happens. Isn’t it ironic that in a strictly materialistic worldview, none of us would have any real choices – if we are just chemicals, then we are just chemical reactions – no free will to choose anything (no choice in being persuaded by argument or scientific evidence).
Praise God that we are created by God with a free-will and a hope of life after death… not just products of our environment waiting to turn to dust!
-Brian Mariani (Dave is unavailable at the moment)