Conservatives have more self-control

[Shell B]

Evolution is a process that has a function. I was referring to the function, not the process of evolution in my interaction with beta, which is what he was referring to. I'd really rather if you didn't get involved in my part of the discussion if it means this thread will devolve as others have. It forces me to respond when I have to correct a statement, which I don't mind if things won't get stupid.

Evolution is a function of natural selection, not species, was my point. It is not a function of species, at all. It results in species.

No one said it was "a function of species." I said, if I recall correctly, "evolution has a function." Not "evolution is a function." He said, "What function is that?" You said, "it's not a function." I think we're using the word function differently and that you understood the statement as "evolution is a function," which wasn't the statement.

As far as what I get involved in, so far as I can see the rules do not permit one member limiting another member's participation in a thread. You are of course free to respond or not as you see fit.

I never tried to limit your participation in the thread. I voiced my preference as it pertains to me. Again, I don't mind, as long as it doesn't turn into the typical circus, which always results in closed threads, which I'm quite sick of, to be honest.

Anyway, beta, you gonna respond to anything you don't have an insincere question about or what?

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Biological Evolution has a role, in the sense that so long as biosphere exists for evolution to occur the process of evolution unavoidably interacts with, affects and is affected by other parts of the natural world.    It has no function in the sense that it fulfilled some intended role.

Biological evolution on earth could just as easily have led the biosphere of the earth down the path of total collapse right near the beginning, leaving it with no role to play during the subsequent evolution of earth the planet.

A function doesn't have to be an intended role or purpose. This is semantics and not even correct semantics.

It's unlikely that evolution would have led the Earth down a path of total collapse right near the beginning. Moreover, we're not talking about some hypothetical planet Earth where evolution has no function. We're talking about this Earth, where it does.

I do agree that evolution has no intended role. I just don't see where anyone said it did.

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Evolution has a role, in the sense it is a process that unavoidably interacts with, affects and is affected by other parts of the natural world.    It has no function in the sense that it filled some intended role.

Exactly. "Function" implies teleology.

In evolution, there is none. Don't believe me, ask the trilobites. Or the T. Rex. Or the ...

Again semantics. Also, still not relevant to the fact that you were arguing that I said "evolution is a function." Your argument wasn't that evolution has no function, which is Anomalocaris' argument, so your "exactly" doesn't make any sense.

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bequeathed to the fist homo

Dude, that is easily the best typo I've ever seen. Bravo.