Quote:
Originally Posted by avandonk
A glib calculation of the possible arangment of DNA does not add to anything. To then even compare this to the ' known' number of stars is futile.
I am not saying that all speculation should be suppressed. All I am asking is that a reasonable attempt is made to understand the current science.
....
Yes by all means have a discussion about biology as I happen to know a bit about it. We call it Molecular Biology.
I happen to think that life is inevitable as everywhere we look it is there.
Bert
|
Hi Bert,
Good to have your input. The calculation of the number of possible base sequences in the DNA actually did have a purpose. The number is extraordinarily large and some would conclude (incorrectly) that the chance the virus exists at all is close to zero. In fact, arguments along this line have been used before by some creationists. However, as Craig correctly remarked, in itself the number tells us nothing about the probability that the virus came into existence. It was meant to counter the argument that the sheer number of stars by themselves imply life is inevitable and widespread. Whether there is a billion stars or 10^22 stars, it tells us no nothing about the frequency of life in the Universe. We can calculate figures for planets in habitable zones but you don't have any statistical evidence for the existence of life forms. As I stated earlier, the existence of suitable chemicals and conditions don't necessarily imply that life exists there.
I don't take the view that life is inevitable or not inevitable in the Universe at large. There is just no statistical evidence to support either view. The Earth may be a unique sample of one.
Regards, Rob