Sir, - I would like to respond to the points made by Mr Colm O'Torna (letters, April 14th) regarding evolutionary theory.
Firstly, the rhetorical trope used in the quote from Karl Stern - is a highly misleading one. This implied error in a theory by Jumping from the first to the final point, highlighting the apparent illogicality. Stern's example was, simply: "Earth cools and molecules turn into human beings: obvious nonsense, evolution is therefore wrong.
Here's an example of my own: "A cell divides and multiples and turns into the architect who built Florence cathedral: obvious nonsense." According to the same logic, foetuses can't change into architects. Since foetuses have been known to turn into architects, the logic must be wrong and so is Stern's simplistic example.
Mr O'Torna evidently does not understand the continuity and coherence of evolutionary theory and so finds it easy to dismiss the few steps of which he is aware. Argument through personal lack of knowledge of one theory does not mean that the opposing theory is therefore correct.
Secondly, there is the argument towards so called common sense. The implication is that those of the opposing view can only lack common sense. Common sense is proof of nothing. Common sense argued for a flat earth and the burning of witches; common sense isn't even a part of modern theology or Christian belief. Water into wine as common sense? Is that more common sense than fishes into reptile? Common sense, therefore, says nothing about how right or wrong either evolutionary theory or theology might be.
Finally, giraffes can't play Monopoly, alligators can't hum Mendelssohn and even the cleverest planarian fails to grasp modern engineering theory. And, funnily enough, neither could the ancient Africans. Is Mr O'Torna arguing that we too must have been created separately, rather than having them as our ancestors?
I remain a convinced evolutionist and humanist, entirely unswayed by the flimsy arguments opposing those standpoints.
Yours, etc..
Waterloo Lane,
Donnybrook.
Dublin 4.