From: ROSSERJB-AT-jmu.edu
Date: Wed, 19 Jun 1996 11:31:26 -0500 (EST)
Subject: evolutionary dialectics


To Lisa:
     You have raised the question of the relevance of the
dialectical "quantity into quality."  Well, in evolution one
has the ultimate example with the "origin of the species" as
your long debate with Adam R. about the evolution of homo sapiens
sapiens should indicate.  I note that the actual genetic difference
between humans and chimpanzees, especially Bonobo chimps, is pretty
miniscule.  But there is certainly a profound qualitative difference.
Now, was it language, toolmaking, standing upright, opposable thumbs,
secondary sexual characteristics of females, hairlessness, none, some,
all, or more of the above that was the crucial defining phase transition
determinant (or "control variable" to use catastrophe theory terminology)?
Barkley Rosser


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