76 100. Birchfield, Weertman and Lunde, 1982. Op. cit, p. 85. U0. Oard,'M.'J. 1978."A"rapidpostflood ice’ age.” ERSO 16 LIL Byers, RH. 1959. General meteorology, third edition McGraw-Hill, New York, p- 150. U2. Bany, R.G,, J.D. Ives and J.T: Andrews, 1971. A dis- cussion of atmospheric circulation during the last ice age Omratz. 113, Ruddiman, W, F. and A. Metntyre, 1979, Warmth of the subpolar North “Atlantic Ooean during: Northern Hein sphere iceshect growth. SCI 204:173:175. 114. ibid, pp. 174, 195, cspectally Figure 3 118. Oard. 1979. Op. cits pp, 20-57, 58, 116. Oard, M.J. 1986." The flood and the ice age. Ministry, May:22, 98. UIT. Loewe. Op. cits p, 938, 118, Camb, H, fi and’A. Woodruffe, 1970, Atmospheric eire culation during the las ce age. QW 1:98, 3. 119. Barry, ves and Andrews, Op. cit, 120, Willams, L;'D.- 1978. Teo-sheet initiation and climatic Influences oF expanded snow cover ta Arctre Canada, OR 10(3):141-149. 121, Williams, 1. D. 1975. Effect of ingolution changes on late suinine snow cover in Northern Canada. Proceediugs of the WMO/TAMAP Symposiom on Long-Term Climatic Fluctuations, p. 287. 122. Oard. 1978, Gp. eit, p30. 123. Williams. 1979" Op at, p. 444, 124. Zeuner. Op. el pp. 196-108. 125. Ruddiman nd Melntyse. Op, cit, pe 173. 126. Williams. 1979. Op. ot, p. ida 127, Ruddiman and Meluiyre” Op, elt, p. 179. 128. Ibid, p. 175 128. Bary B.C, T. Andrews and M. A. Mahaffy. 1975, CREATION RESEARCH SOCIETY QUARTERLY Gontinental fee sheots: conditions for growth. SCI 190) 980. 130. VanLoon, Hand J. Williams. 1976s. ‘The conection be- fbrcen trends of mean temperature and circulation at the surface: part 1 "winter. MWR 104-300-580, especially igure 151. Vanloon, Hand J. Williams, 1976, The connection be- ‘ween tends of mean temperature and eireulstion at the ‘Surface: part 2 summer, MWH 104: 1005-1011, espoctally Fisure 2 152, Willsns, J, and H. VanLoon. 1976. ‘The connection be- tbvgen trends of mean temperature and circulation the spelaces pare "tring" and tion 80 193, Bunker, A. F, 1980. Trends of variables and ener fluxes Over the Atlantic Ocean from 1948 to 1972. MWR 108:730-752, especialy Pigures 8 und 10. 154, Herman, C. F’and W. T. Johnson. 1978. ‘The sensitivity cof the genera ereulation to Arctic Sen tce boundaries: ‘humeral experiment. AIWR 108:1619-1664, 185, Johnson, CoM, 1080. Wintertime Arctic Sea ice extremes ‘and the simultaneous atmospheric creulation, MWA 108 Vis0-1701 Barry Atrews and Mahal. Op. cit Wilma 1978." ot, . 448. Willams. 1978, Op, ot, p. 43. Bid by 454, Wiscombe, WJ, and 8. G, Waren, 1980. A model for fhe spectral albado of saw. 1: pure mow. JAS 51-2713, Li. Warten and Wiscombe, “Op, it 4B, Stephens, G. Land P. f Webster, 1981. Clouds and liate:" sensitivity of simple systems, JAS 38.295.947, SE TT ee etn H. Kennett JF 1982 Marine geology. Prentice-Hall, lewood Cliffs, New Jersey, p. 747, Swat 1501. HUTTONIAN BIOLOGY AND GEOLOGIC UPHEAVAL Jar L, Hae Received 17 August 1985; Revised 2 January 1984 Abstract James Hutton’s views of essentialist biology lead to the necessity of a singular epoch of rapid geologic activity Introduction ‘The central theme of James Hatton's Theory of the Earth is that the terrestlal surface iy constantly etn eroded into the sea from vshich solidified. sediments are, uplifted to form new land, ‘This eontinval process of “reproduction” not only aifects the. miner con: stituents of the world, but also produces soll suitable for land plants which provide nourishment for at ex: tensive variety of animals “As Tatton noted "The formation of the present earth necesari volves the destruction of continents inthe ancient World we clearly see the origin of that land, by the fertity of which, we, and all the animated bodies of the sea are fede Hatton views the global actions of dissolution, and renovation as integeal factors in the generation of fer, te el ch eles or pant fo Satin, cd Perpetuate™ a system of flora and faunas According tolnton averse ts have tied iit ox ence with respect to the earth throughout geologic History nike manner, be afims the india fey terra by rejecting Bulfon's proposal coneetning the Solar origin of the earth® Dulfon suggested that gn accidental collision of the sun with acamiet wes the ‘mechanism which formed the planets “Jay L, Hal, a student maforing in mathematics at the Univer- aly of Oxlshoms, recelves his mail at 619 W. Boyd, Notan Ox Tate, Hotton’ attitude of discontinnous essentials con- siders the sim, the earth and numerous classes of Tife to be discrete entities of nature. Although he argied !ighngt the transformation of one basi organizations Structure into another, his synthesis Was Hot entirely Static a his unpublished Principle) of Avice, Hutton describes the diversification of varieties with: in "spedes': Tet us suppose only one form originally in a Species; nd that there had been established in the nstitition of the animal, 2 general law or rule ff seminal variation, by vwhich the form of the fnimal should constantly be: changing, more or tess by the influence of different eircumstances or in dere ‘station and we Sh thi Sce beautiful contrivance for preserving the per- fection of the animal form, inthe variety of the specioss Strikingly unique individuals may arise within a “spe- cles” yet among these the essential adaptive features ae presereed. This anti-evoluionary stanoe denies the Premise that theve are no natural eapstratnts nent Able variation. ‘Manier points out that it was impos: sible for Darwin to demonstrate thatthe postlate of Unlimited variation “ether followed from or was come Patible with some well-established law of natures? TThe basically minor moaifications observed through artificial and natural selection suggest that distinct boVOLUME 21, SEPTEMBER 1984 logical categories may have persisted for the length of geologic time while remaining essentially the samo. Paleobiolo; In Hutton’ framework of paleobiology, “The ani- mals of the former world mist have been sustained uring indefinite successions of ages."* He contended that fossil taxa are no different than the present array of life With the exception of extinction, paleont logical research is consistent with the principle of Jogleal stably. The orderly succession of prehistoric le through the geological era has been interpreted to show how unique assemblages of life forms were Aistinet in various periods. C. W. Harper states that: Fossil taxa often occur in a regular vertical oider in strata, yet, this regularity does not necessarily imply that the taxa succeeded one another in the same order in times Hf mammals are not found in the early Cambrian, this does not irrefutably document the presumption that the first trilobite appeared before the first mam. mal, The absence of a particular fossil taxon does not equire its nonexistence for a certain epoch. For in- stance, the fossil record of coclancanth fishes doce not extend past the Mesozoic; however, this group con- tues to survive fn the form of Latimer (a gens of coelacanths).” Even though paleontological succes. sion reveals a general trend toward more complex organisms in younger strata, such a pattern fails to conclusively validate a common ancestey for all plants and animals. As Kitts affinms: Darwinian paleontologists cannot take much com- fort from the fact that the fossil record does not compel them to reject their theory because it does not compel them to accept it either." One possible evidence against Huttonian biology is the fact that definite classes of biological diversity mark the distinctions hetween the Paleozoic, Mesozoie and Cenozoic eras. If basic types of organisms exiubit relative constancy, this alternative to evolutionism ‘must account for the sequential nature of the paleon- ological record, Anti-evolutionist G. H. Harper suse gests that the assemblages of biota which characterize Paleobiological periods of the standard geologie timo seale occupied a large proportion of local popullations where fossilization occurred.” A crucial problem for such a scenario is the usual rule that relatively simpler fossils are found in older strata. It is hard to imagine how G, H, Harper's idea can predict the order seen the fist appearances of primary adaptive rovps, from fish to amphibians to reptiles to mammals. In addition, it is reasonable to assume that the stati rates of fossiization for “advanced” and “primitive phyla would be very nearly equal through the geologic ages, It seems unlikely that G. H. Harper's proposal fan accurately descrtbe the observed over of succes Rapid Geologie Activ An opposing view of paleabiology rekards the major portion of the ecosystems represented sinee the ea Eman explo a oncuing within singe tad of earth's history. This coujeture rogues 4 if formation of most fossil bearing strata Postar lating that the majority of fossil taxa were part of a singular epoch of rapid geologic activity (SERGA) fs indirect aureement with the Huttonian concept that rorphologieally “simple” and “complex” individuals 7 have existed together through the duration of geologic time. Tt seems likely that the vast time spans sup- posed by orthodox paleontologists to separate trilobites and whales did not exist if these organisms lived con- currently. It is difficult to determine what. possible mechanisms associated with a SERGA might account for paleontological succession; however, the proposi- Mion of SERGA, appears to be the most sensible framework which follows from the assumption of es- sentialist biology. Another potential way of correlating the fossil rec- ord with Huttonian biology is to consider multiple epochs of major geologic upheaval. If there were many epochs of rapid deposition, then whatever pale- ontological pattern of succession might be preserved would repeat itself. Since the paleobiological data Indicate just one general order of life forms, it seems that the SERGA concept is the most logical conclusion which follows from the premise that essential types of life have remained basically the same throughout earth's history. Otherwise, the rock record would re- veal many tnstanges of a recurring fosil ander. cor responding in each case to a period of rapid geologic fection. Furthermore, several ines of eviente, shaw the plausibility of a SERGA, High magnitude geologic events have a. greater chante of prosrstion inthe rock record that Ge with normal rates of deposition. "Unconsolidated sedi- ‘ment deposited during periods of slow activity may be removed by an unusual episode of erosion. Hutton said that some geologists have: supposed certain occasions in which the coin Sequeniee of those natural operations have. been extremely violent, in order fo explain to them Selves appearances which they know not how {0 reconcile with the ordinary effects of those de- structive causes.* ‘Tremendous incidents of geologic upheaval on a glo- bal seale are apparently rare; nevertheless, such oceu ences have a grat likelihood of being preserved in the stratigraphic record Exceptions to the basic order of fossils would be ‘expected in the course of 4 SERCA. One example is inthe Alay Range of the Soviet Union in which Si. Tuvian rocks overlie middle Carboniferous carbonate depen The andar acount of hs apenas rclitonship of “older” strata upon “younger” rock in. volves thrust faulting along with enormous horizontal Aisplicement of geologic structures. Rezvoy remarks that, “the thrust planes, where they, can actually be observed, show no trace of large displacements along them," Furthermore, Rezvoy claims that the existence of a thrust plane *. . can be inferred only irom the change in the fauna cileted both above and hoelow it In other words, the primary season for considering these strata as “reversed” is the fossils rather than the structural data Adopting the concept of a SERGA implies a con- densed chronology of much of the geolosie calunn Studies ‘concerning isotope ratios in coalified. wood Indieate that the periods of historical geology may be 10,000 ‘times shorter than the comaonly” aceepted ages.” Compressing the virtual sum of fosiiferous strata into a comparatively smal time interval requires rapid processes. An illustration of such activity is found fn Germany's Geiseltal lignite which contains78. preserved insect colors and chlorophyl that necessitate very quick fossiization.»# Summary Although most of today’s geologists accept evolu- tionary theory, James Hutton the ‘father of modern cology” held to the view that the basic forms of life iave persisted relatively unchanged during the span Of geologic time. ‘This anti-Darwinian perspective car- ties significant implications regarding the nature of historical geology. Alter considering several alterna- tives itis conchided that the most consistent position with Huttonian biology is to view the majority of the ‘geologic record as the result of a relatively short period of geologic upheaval. References 1. Hutton, James. 1795. “Theory of the Kath, Vol. 1. (1972 reprint) Stechertllatner Service, New York, p. 181. 2 Ibid. Vol 3p. 58. 3. Mavs, E167 Jones Huttoo—the founder of moder seology. Elsevier Publishing Go., New York, p. 74 CREATION RESEARCH SOCIETY QUARTERLY £ LE seg puns poets in the history and the philosophy of science 11315. He aa nas PANORAMA OF SCIENCE Vitalism: A Neglected Weapon? ‘The question, vitalism versus mechanism, was de- bated often in the past by those who studied nature GF late, litle has been heard of the matter since secu: Tar biologists, with very_few exceptions hold the me- chanical view. Te might be expected that iti dificult to get any argument for the vitalistic postion into the Merature. ‘The mechanistic postion is that all of the features of living things are due to the interactions of the mole- tales of which the living thing is composed (the same interactions we study in cheastry or physics). A talisy on the other hand believes that there must be something else — call it a spark of life, or something of that sort It is sometimes said that vtalism is disproved by the fact that many of the chemical. products of living things ean be produced in the laboratory, in vir. But surely that arguments fallacious. ‘Soin of the same reactions which occur in a blast furnace might happen in'a voleano, ‘But nobody doubts intelligence. and planning are involved at the stecl produeerthings twhich would never be found ina thousand Mount St Helens. One of the several good arguments that can be given for vitalism concems the development of living thi from single cell to adult. ‘The common view now ascribes the development to the code contained in the NA in the first cell, No one doubts that itis part of the ane a he dacnery of DNA wat ages oe, elping to show howe complex living things really are, But can anyone explain, for instance, how a ceztain tence of molecules causes the spots on n peacocks tail? "To say “By enzymes’ is merely. to intate the ald lady who said that machinery works “with screws, somehow.” And the matter is much more. dificult concerning instincts, which nobody doubts to be herited in some cases. I know of at least one ereation- ist who seems to hold similar views that DNA is in- adequate to explain these things.'. * Another argument considers the nature of the mind. Some have sid that thought merely an arrangement or action of cells or parts in the brain. But surely such theory is incredible. How could an abstract universal idea or feeling, such as love, be a material arrange- ment? No, there must be something which is non- material If there ths non materal agpoet (fo use 4 rather indefinite word) inns all of our Hes, tsi not likely that was present from the Beginning? And if $0, 18 jt not ikely‘that it contributed to our develop. iment? Tay be asked, what has this to do. with creation ism? Consider that if vitalism is true, the chance de velopment of life om chemic: ah Foating sore 1 Where is impossible. For nobody. has* propo the alleged primeval soup contained hs al fa {we eal spit) Brought about by strokes of lightning something of the sort If vtalism is true, the orig fal ife would have required some intervention; it must have been created, ‘Then, of course, one can continue. If some Tie, at least required an intervention, a creation, we are en titled to wield Ockham razor, and to accept exeation ts the reason for the diveraty of life, as: well ass orgie It is suggested, then that creationists may find re- newed stucly of this subject very. worthwhile. Contributed by H. L. Armstrong, References 1. Jones, A.J. 1989. A exeationigt extiqne of hoy ion Research Society Quarterly, 19(5) 136-175. % Jones. 4 J. 1983, Comectons and clafatons. Creation ‘esearch Society Quarterly, 20(2):122. 8, Aristotle, On the soul. Book I Chapter 5 and Book III Chap: ter ogy. Crea