Re: 'Abdu'l-Bahá and evolution

>> My guess would be that it means that no direct evidence will be found to show primate lines splitting and changing into humans and modern apes.<<

As someone who has taught the senior-level university course, "Human
Evolution and Prehistory" (physical anthropology), I would suggest that
the evidence for the common descent, or ancestry, of humans and other
apes is overwhelming.

If we are to follow the principle of the harmony of the sciences with
our religion -- that the function of sciences is to protect Baha'is
from falling into religious superstition -- then rejecting evolutionary
biology for a version of old-earth creationism, as have many
evangelical Christians, would be highly inappropriate.

As I have been saying, I would suggest that `Abdu'l-Baha's references
to evolution are metaphorical. As per His defined method in _Some
Answered Questions_, He used "evolution" as a "sensible figure" (a
parable or metapor) for the containment of the animal, vegetable, and
mineral categories within that human kingdom, and He used "species" as
a "sensible figure" for the rational soul or human spirit.

That said, even if I am incorrect, and `Abdu'l-Baha *did* believe in
old-earth creationism (that humans are not related to other apes), I
would *still* accept the findings of the sciences over a scriptural
assertion.

Infallibility does not, to me, imply propositional inerrancy. In other
words, I am open to the possibility that anyone -- a Prophet or a
Perfect Exemplar -- could make a factual mistake.

Mark Foster
http://tech.structurization.com

.

Relevant Pages

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  • Re: Science Disproves Evolution
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    (talk.atheism)
  • Re: Philosophical Difference
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  • [R_Catholic-L] Pope JPII on Evolution
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