Posted by Joshua on August 24, 19102 at 15:41:41:
In Reply to: Re: Man vs. Nature posted by ant on August 18, 19102 at 15:02:17:
I see two related problems with this view (credit to Gregory Koukl - see link below).
One problem is the apparent underlying idea that the quality or value of a given object can be determined by physical properties alone. Suppose Michelangelo wiped excess paint off his brush in some hidden corner of the Sistine Chapel. By examination of purely physical properties it seems to me those smudges would seem nearly identical to the rest of his painting when in reality the latter was given a greater purpose and value by the artist.
The other problem is that on the Christian worldview, humans have an immaterial soul created in the image of God. And a purely physical examination would not detect this non-physical part of us. So considering this, I think even if a human's physical body was 100% identical to an ape, the human would still be superior.
-Josh
Here is a link to Gregory Koukl's article on this subject:
http://www.str.org/free/commentaries/science/cosmicju.htm