Excellence as Morality - Part 4

Evolution, the Sculpting Mechanism - Part 1

I am quite certain that almost all of you reading this thought of Charles Darwin when you read the word evolution. But it is not his theory that I am relying on. It is incomplete for this analysis. The theory I will rely on is the one propounded by Fr. Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, an early twentieth century Jesuit priest who found the time to reflect on these questions while he was isolated behind enemy lines in China during World War II. His theory encompasses more than the biological varieties that produce new and different life forms. Plus, he includes a divine element to nature.

Can a true scientific analysis incorporate God as a factor? Teilhrd, in considering the concept of the universe, asks how can we not. The development of life forms throughout time has been directed toward beings that possess a greater understanding of the world around them. Humans understand nature's components better than all other life forms. We understand nature's components now better than 200 years ago. Following this trend to its logical conclusion brings us to a complete uderstanding of nature. According to Teilhard, an attribute only assigned to God.

He takes a Socratic approach to the question that God exists and He created nature by assuming that God does not exist. But by denying that there is an overseeing power to the universe we are put into the impossible position of explaining why there is an internal component to life forms, especially humans. If nature eliminates unnecessary traits then we must conclude that the internal component in life forms is needed. Plus, if we ascribe ourselves as the highest order of life forms because of our unmatched internal capabilities, then not only is the 'within' of things needed, it is paramount. The development of our souls, hearts, and minds is what separates humans from all other beings and puts us in the position as most advanced.

The use of the word advanced indicates that there is an aim to our development. If we are leading a race, doesn't this fact tell us that there is a finish line? Doesn't this tell us that we are advancing toward something? That there is then an entity that is superhuman in capability? If nature's development has a goal, then what is that goal and who developed it? The very fact that these questions can be asked proves that there is a higher order of capability involved in all this development. An order and entity that mankind has historically called God.

A key role we have attributed to God is as the source of morality. If we fulfill God's wishes, then we are doing the right thing. Fall short of God's designs and we have sinned. Any action that contributes to God's plan for humanity can then be called moral. Threaten this fulfillment and you are immoral. This then requires us to use our capabilities to identify what the goal is, map out the path to that end, and then work diligently to achieve the understood goal.

I here posit that we will find that goal by examining the within of things, especially within humans. We are the only life forms that we know of with the reflective, emotional, and energetic capabilities to understand the forces at work in nature that are molding mankind toward our ultimate destiny, a destiny whose manifestation resides within the human soul, heart, and mind.

Biologically, or genetically, all humans are practically identical. Yet, we not only have drastic, diverse variations in every physical component we possess, but our intelligence is equally varied within our species, as is our ethical forebearance. Some people make a living, raise a family, participate in the governing of others as they rely on theft, murder, and intimidation for their advancement. Others feel they must leave the requisite coin on an unattended counter if they leave with a penny candy. There are very definitely internal motivations in humans that exist in no other creature. These exclusive internal motivations and capabilities elevate mankind above all other creatures, or can we say that we are further along toward God's goal?

For the sake of this discussion I ask you to read Teilhard's discourse on this element of humanity and allow for me to assume that God does indeed exist and that God does have a plan based on the sample from Teilhard above. This will allow me to offer my premise that to advance God's plan is the definition of morality. This will allow me to ignore tangent arguments that would require a face-to-face exchange with each of you to hash out the inevitable debate that would follow.

Teilhard's discussion on evolution also relies on the 'Wholeness of Nature' and 'Nature as Arbiter' premises from the previous posts. In fact, I've relied on his language to help express what I have long understood. Theilhard theorizes that it is through backtracking our evolution that we can divulge the sculpting influence of nature, how we can equate nature to its creator, God, and how to suggest the road we need to travel. If we are to recognize a hierarchy of life forms, with humanity at the top, founded on some yet to be identified characteristics, then we presuppose a graduation in the process: humans over apes, apes over other mammals, mammals over reptiles, etc. If evolution started with a basic particle and advanced over billions of years to produce humanity, then one of two conclusions forces itself into this line of thinking:
1. That we're it. It doesn't get any better than humans as we stand today. We are the most advanced life form to ever exist, but we are also the most advanced life that will ever exist.
2. We ain't done yet. There is further development in store for mankind.

I hope you agree with me that that the second proposition seems a lot more likely, that mankind is a work in progress. Consider the fact that we have only been exposed to the tiniest speck of a minute corner in the outlying remoteness of the infinite nature. It stands to reason that if nature forms its phenomena through its rewards for passing tests, our lack of exposure to practically all of nature imposes quite a large number of tests to come. If we have more tests to pass, we have more developing to go through.

E