the evolving mind

It is said that no two snowflakes are alike. Likewise, every flower blossom is different from the others. From slight imperfections to exact size, petal angle, the layout of veins, etc.

Similarly, every Joe and Jane is different. Is it because we each have a soul that magically informs who we become? A major gap in a person’s understanding of biology and psychology might explain how such an idea could originate. The idea no doubt persists because it is useful. It can still fill gaps in minds (particularly minds averse to gaps). Also, thanks to the Trojan-horse quality of vague terms, it can offer an abundance of connotations all butterflies and rainbows.

Organisms are complex. Even identical twins aren’t fully identical. Why? Sheer complexity itself uncoupled with intentional design means subtle differences, in the least. More importantly, there is value in the biological diversity of form and function: the ability to “fit,” to survive, to propagate. Leaving a number of offspring with differing attributes – of form and function – is a crucial element to evolution. Not all forms are well adapted to their current ecosystem (the only one that matters), but enough are. And so life persists.

Every person is unique; every blossom is different. What I find most awe-inspiring about the differences is the wealth of information they contain. To understand the differences we must become time-traveling detectives. Rather than shrug our shoulders when confronted with a gap in what we presently know, a better alternative is to find and piece together clues as to how an organism developed its current form.

I’ll take that over “a soul done it,” any day.

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