Explaining the Complexity of Evolution: A Scientific Perspective

The question of why evolutionary biology is so complex is a common one. The answer is often short and may at first appear to be quite snarky. However, it's a true answer, and it effectively addresses other similar questions like 'Why are atoms so small' or 'Why is the Earth so old.' These answers bring to light the intrinsic link between complexity and our understanding of how the world works. In this article, we will explore these questions, delve into the science behind evolution, and explain why evolutionary biology is so complex from a scientific perspective.

The Complexity of Atoms

Why are atoms so small? Atoms are incredibly small because if they were much larger, or if we were much smaller, our brains would be too small to allow for the complexity we have. The human brain consists of about 86 billion interconnected neurons, each with thousands of connections, all made up of coordinated atoms.

Imagine a Boeing 747 built by a tornado going through a junkyard or a perfect reproduction of Hamlet created by 100 billion monkeys using 100 billion typewriters for 100 billion years. These are impossible because something as complex as a Boeing 747 or a Shakespearean play cannot arise spontaneously without a directed causal agent. In the same way, atoms form molecules, molecules form cells, and cells form complex organisms that can think and ask questions.

The process of evolution starts with simple atoms combining into small molecules. These molecules then combine into larger, more complex molecules, which can influence how and when other molecules combine. This creates feedback loops of ever more complex processes leading to the development of life. Life capable of homeostasis and reproduction then produced an incredible variety of living things. This is why evolutionary biology is so complex.

The Age of the Earth and the Complexity of Life

Why is the Earth so old? The Earth's age is crucial because it allowed enough time for evolution to produce organisms with complex brains capable of thought. If the Earth were only half its current age, the closest thing resembling us would likely be unicellular organisms. Our brains, with 86 billion neurons each with about 1000 connections, consisting of anear quintillion coordinated atoms, cannot be the result of spontaneous formation. Instead, these structures evolved over billions of years through complex chemical processes.

The universe is vast because it needed to progress from simple to complex over time. This progression involved energy expanding, matter forming, and stars developing, eventually leading to planets capable of supporting life. The complexity of evolution is a direct result of the time and conditions necessary for the universe to evolve into a state where brains can ask questions about the universe itself.

The Scientific Method and Complex Phenomena

The complexity of evolution introduces a key challenge: the tendency to ask "why" questions, which often smuggle in a presumption of directed causation from a causal agent. However, science seeks to answer "how" questions, such as 'How can we best describe reality in ways that allow us to predict the future?' This approach focuses on carefully observing and experimenting with natural phenomena.

The scientific method involves making careful observations, formulating hypotheses, and then testing them through experiments. By doing so, we have developed descriptions and models of space, time, particles, and fields that describe the interactions in the universe. These models allow us to send spacecraft to Pluto, cure diseases like cancer, and share information on platforms like Quora.

Evolutionary biology is complex because it is a result of billions of years of natural processes working together to produce increasingly complex structures. The complexity is a testament to the power of these processes and the ability of these structures to think and understand.

Conclusion

The complexity of evolutionary biology is not a mere inevitability but a manifestation of the intricate processes that have shaped our universe. By understanding these processes, we can better appreciate the scientific method and its power to explain and predict the world around us. Evolution is a complex but beautiful process that arose from simple, fundamental forces of nature, leading to the diverse and complex life we see today.