Thursday, May 26, 2011
Convergence is overemphasized by Teilhard
Most scientists do not believe in a directed evolution. I don't think science has adequately accounted for the constant rise of evolution from the simple to the complex, toward higher consciousness, intelligence etc. Teilhard De Chardin addressed this question with the illustration of a river finding its course by adjusting to the terrain it flows over. Evolution is directed from within like the river flow and shaped from without by the terrain of evolution.
But Teilhard saw a future for mankind that I cannot affirm. Teilhard saw a great collective coming together of mankind, a convergence into one superhuman mankind, containing the whole of man, with no parallel evolution, no separateness. Convergence is emphasized by Teilhard whereas divergence is emphasized by Evolutionary Christianity (EC).
Evolution both converges and diverges but it is the divergence which drives the central flow or activates the river of evolution. Convergence holds the pattern before the next level of evolution diverges. Both are necessary, but the future belongs to divergence.
Affirming divergence takes EC away from the collectivism and even totalitarianism of Teilhard. Divergence leads to parallel evolution, independent states, and some form of federalism which supplies the overall convergent order.
Human nature as carefully defined by sociobiology affirms divergence, humans naturally prefer their own in a fundamental biological way, and this is largely overlooked by Teilhard. Social programs must be harmonized with human nature or the programs will be short lived, which is why most new ideologies don't last long.
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