Darwinism matters to me in a few ways. When we look at the various concepts of evolution, it seems to be clear that artificial genetic modification will continue to throw irreversible problems into the genetic make up of our food. By skipping past the natural selection of genetic combinations in order to manipulate plants to have characteristics not needed for the PLANTS survival, we will surely lose many valuable edible and medicinal plants as they are no longer in balance with their environment.
In the article "Why Darwinism Matters," there is much talk about morality. The scientists in the article are discussing the implications of Darwinism being the ultimate truth, and many are saying that ideas of God or morality are merely adaptations of the brain to help us survive better. It's again apparent that many scientists believe their theories and beliefs are free from their own worldview. There is little difference between the ethnocentrism of a religious group, and the ethnocentrism of science. This is a very difficult concept for us to understand, but science is JUST ONE of many concepts to help us understand the universe. It's commonly accepted that science holds the answer to all questions, when it really just breaks tangible concepts into smaller and smaller pieces. It can be a great tool to help figure out the function of things, but it still leaves out the motive and intention behind things, or the intangible reality.
Again the limited wordview is apparent when Arthur Leff talks about the place of God being the one above all others, and the basis for moral, therefore being an adaptation of the human brain. He then goes on to say that without a 'God' there are no morals. I challenge Arthur to the fact that many of us do not believe in one God...or Him. Through observing the natural order of things, it's understood that certain actions would be unbalanced and unsustainable, hence we can and do have 'moral' without 'Him' or a 'one god.' This also does not eliminate the possibility of spirit or spirits.
Darwinism matters in that it can show us some valuable things about us and the environment we live in. It just doesn't need to be taken as the one and only exclusive truth. It's simply a very valuable and fascinating COMPONENT of physical understanding.
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I also believe Darwinism is an integral component to understanding the universe, environment and ourselves. It is a foundation within science and evolution, allowing us to examine our surroundings with a different perspective and insight. It is frustrating when individuals like Arthur Leff maintain a narrow stance, disallowing other possibilities of evolutionary development, and still focus on "God" and "his" presence as above all others and then somehow linking this mystical creator with scientific evolution... Simultaneously rejecting the clear, organic evidence that Darwin presented and defended. I agree that there is a plethora of approaches and belief systems in understanding evolution, there is not just one concept, theory, or idea. However, as a student of holistic and integrative medicine I must consider a plethora of possibilities in treatment and incorporate these approaches to adapt to the patient. In evolutionary development, why can't we also allow for a myriad of concepts and know that, perhaps a little bit of everything has brought the universe to where it is today?
I particularly like this point you made, "It's again apparent that many scientists believe their theories and beliefs are free from their own world-view. There is little difference between the ethnocentrism of a religious group, and the ethnocentrism of science." I feel that much of our arrogance comes from our self-centered view of the world/universe and often leads us into mistakes and trouble that we have to 'fix'. We then seem to try and fix our mistakes with the same arrogance, leading us more deeply into trouble.
Einstein is quoted as saying, "The significant problems we have cannot be solved at the same level of thinking with which we created them." This has never been more true.
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