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Since when is reduction in ability evolutionary development? Hmm.  He might just have reduced his ability to fit in better with his peers - fit in better where he can exploit shortcomings of others that are similar to him....

having said that - while at the same time not believing that I really said it - part of what makes us function as human is the ability to forget - I read this somewhere, but simply cannot recall where that was....

by PeWi on Wed Dec 5th, 2007 at 07:40:54 AM EST
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Since when is reduction in ability evolutionary development?

Since when is it not?
by Colman (colman at eurotrib.com) on Wed Dec 5th, 2007 at 07:55:58 AM EST
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Neither "evolution" nor "development" imply "progress" in any particular direction.

We have met the enemy, and he is us — Pogo
by Migeru (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Wed Dec 5th, 2007 at 10:06:47 AM EST
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Especially not when humans are involved.
by ThatBritGuy (thatbritguy (at) googlemail.com) on Wed Dec 5th, 2007 at 08:29:20 PM EST
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well, a change in ability is surely a development, irrespective, if this is a reduction or an increase. We can probably agree on that.

now the remaining question is, is a reduction necessarily a limiter, or something than can enable. Again this probably depends.

Please do not forget that my initial comment is snark. I am neither particularly bothered, if there is a genetic, or brain marker, that enables theism - or if there is a not.

In the question of nurture v. nature, I am firmly exactly nowhere.
While it is interesting to ask the question, the assumption that there is a NEED to answer the question at all, is something that I would question.

For me the question of nurture v nature is one of responsibility and acceptance of ones own action.
Now this is not a universal statement, but one that is only valid for me.

by PeWi on Wed Dec 5th, 2007 at 11:16:12 AM EST
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reduction in ability? What if he lost social skills at the benefit of increased analytical skills?

you are the media you consume.

by MillMan (millguy at gmail) on Wed Dec 5th, 2007 at 02:16:55 PM EST
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Dawkins is a gifted writer - his prose style is very, very good - but a mediocre scientist with very little published work.

I don't find his analytical skills very impressive - although I do admire the way he communicates.

by ThatBritGuy (thatbritguy (at) googlemail.com) on Wed Dec 5th, 2007 at 08:28:24 PM EST
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And "The God Delusion" is probably the most important (influential, talked-about) book of the year, even if it's not offering the slightest bit of "new" evidence or insight.

"If you know your enemies and know yourself, you will not be imperiled in a hundred battles." Sun Tzu
by Turambar (sersguenda at hotmail com) on Thu Dec 6th, 2007 at 11:35:02 AM EST
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