beauty as "evidence" of intelligent design (spirits, believe, Earth)

[Oakback]

Originally Posted by MidniteBreeze

Just to clairify, I'm not claiming that beauty is, INDEED evidence of intelligent design (thus the word 'evidence' in quotes.)

I know there's also ugliness (or at least not beautiful things) in the world too, i.e., those piles of dirt!

I would argue that beauty is not *entierly* subjective. As I mentioned in the OP, there seem to be some universal standards across humanity with regards to things we find asthetically pleasing, be they people, objects or nature. (Again, who would choose to look at a pile of dirt over a sweeping mountain vista? Who would rather live in a gray, cinder block room as opposed to one filled with color and texture?)

As far as humans being the only ones that experience beauty, I don't know. There is much evidence to support that primates (and other animals) do better in a more asthetically pleasing, natural envrionment as opposed to some depressing cage in a zoo, even when things like food, water, etc. are held constant.

I've often pondered on what seems to be a universal objection to disorder.
Like the compulsion some of us have to trim our hedges, prune our trees, and weed our gardens ( must be that I'm looking forward to spring ).
There seems to be a desire for order and harmony, as opposed to the weeds and vines that contribute to competition, death and decay.

[GCSTroop]

Originally Posted by Oakback

I've often pondered on what seems to be a universal objection to disorder.
Like the compulsion some of us have to trim our hedges, prune our trees, and weed our gardens ( must be that I'm looking forward to spring ).
There seems to be a desire for order and harmony, as opposed to the weeds and vines that contribute to competition, death and decay.

Actually, it is quite the opposite. Nature actually thrives towards disorder. Check out the Laws of Thermodynamics and Entropy.

[JerZ]

I was thinking the same thing, GCS. And to relate the above poster's comment to the OP, isn't it *contrary* to God's "intelligent design" to recreate it in our own way by cutting, shaping, pruning and putting specially altered and added to dirt on it?

Also...I'm a little chilled by the idea of killing an entire group (i.e. the "weeds") in order to maintain "harmony".

[Oakback]

Originally Posted by GCSTroop

Actually, it is quite the opposite. Nature actually thrives towards disorder. Check out the Laws of Thermodynamics and Entropy.

I wasn't thinking of the "laws of nature".

BTW, where did they come from anyway?

Nevermind, I think we've been down that road many times around here already.

[JerZ]

Originally Posted by Oakback

I wasn't thinking of the "laws of nature".

BTW, where did they come from anyway?

Nevermind, I think we've been down that road many times around here already.

Well...do you not think nature was created by God? Including weeds?

[Oakback]

Originally Posted by JerZ

Well...do you not think nature was created by God? Including weeds?

Like I said, we've been down that road.
Maybe we could save this for a creation/intelligent design/evolution/nature vs. nurture/fall of creation/science vs. religion/.....yadda yadda yadda thread.
Ok?

[JerZ]

Originally Posted by Oakback

Like I said, we've been down that road.
Maybe we could save this for a creation/intelligent design/evolution/nature vs. nurture/fall of creation/science vs. religion/.....yadda yadda yadda thread.
Ok?

Goodness.

Well, since you brought the subject up...I guess you can put a halt to the subject too. Are those the rules? Just trying to keep up here...

[Oakback]

Originally Posted by JerZ

Goodness.

Well, since you brought the subject up...I guess you can put a halt to the subject too. Are those the rules? Just trying to keep up here...

Your right.
I was wrong for starting something, then picking up my toys and going home.
I'm truely sorry. Really. For what seems like an impatience pig headed response.
Although it is no excuse, I've been fighting a cold, I'm tired, lazy,and a little cranky.
Please forgive me.
Perhaps we can pick this up another time.

In the meantime, I need to stay with the threads that make me warm and fuzzy, while I eat my chicken soup.

[SCGranny]

Um, Oakback, I hope that it isn't the chicken soup that is "making you warm and fuzzy" - throwitoutthrowitoutthrowitout!!!!

But beauty is in the eye of the beholder - a "pile of dirt" as opposed to mountain vistas, not so pretty - but a freshly dumped pile of dirt about to become a raised-bed garden - WOW! (Another one impatient to garden.) I describe myself as a "fireplug with feet" or a "SLUF" - Short Little Ugly Female - but I am always invited to parties because I am so much fun, and my best friends all tell me that I am beautiful, and love for me to cook for them!

What's 'beautiful'? Folks who observe the human response to 'beauty' decided that it had to do with regular features - everything mathematically and equally spaced. Animals mate for productivity, willingness, and maybe even temperament as well. While one penguin may look exactly like 100 others to us, its mama can always find it.

Oakback, I recommend hot tea with honey and a shot of Jack Daniels. You won't feel better, but you won't care.
At least you will sleep....

[JerZ]

Awww..well feel better, ((Oakback)).