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by Anonymous on August 3rd, 2005

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Why is the “inferior” ape family still in existence, but not a single one of the presumed intermediate forms, which were supposed to be more advanced in evolution?

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  • by jwmbiz on August 3rd, 2005

    jwmbiz

    Apes are not "inferior" and hominids are not "superior". There is no "upward progress" in evolution, just more diversity and complexity. Darwin suffered from Victorian delusions of "progress" that were common at that time. If the environmental conditions warrant it, man could evolve "back" into an ape-like creature.

    The Hominids fill a different ecological niche than the apes. We have not been in competition with apes until recently when modern commercial activity has spilled over into their habitat. They may well go extinct because of this.

    Each succeeding "intermediate form" of hominid was displaced by another hominid who was better able to exploit the hominids' ecological niche.

    Comments

    • very good answer.

      Lucas_

      by Lucas_ on August 4th, 2005

    • How do you not see the contradiction? 'was better able to exploit'='not inferior' "no"upward progress""

      Anonymous

      by Anonymous on August 5th, 2005

    • Exactly. And a good summary.

      lynnenorth

      by lynnenorth on October 16th, 2005

    • Excellent answer.

      Kim Siever

      by Kim Siever on October 17th, 2005

    • Good answer. David, "exploitation" does not equate to "upward progress". I see no contradictions.

      OKGhostrider

      by OKGhostrider on December 1st, 2005

    • Question's premise is wrong: the "apes" that exist today are not the same as those who lived millions of years ago.

      RedJohn

      by RedJohn on January 7th, 2006

    • Anonymous - "adaption" does not equal "upward progress" - evolution has no "eventual goal", so there can be no progress toward it. Animals and plants adapt to the environment by reproducing inexactly. As the environment changes, various differences allow some animals to reproduce more often than others. That's it really. Humans leapfrogged the system a little through increased intelligence giving ability to control the environment - but not that much. One big comet and we're still all done for.

      Friartuck

      by Friartuck on August 13th, 2008

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