[PatrickHenry]

You have far more philosophical audacity than I do. I'm not even going to try to debate whether God had a beginning, or where God was before the universe began (I think of this as the "homelessness" issue, and it's quite beyond my limited powers to solve). Ditto for the Plato/Aristotle debate about the "reality" of abstractions. These are obviously outside of the limits of biological evolution. But they're delicious questions.

The biological development of consciousness is, in my opinion, still a good avenue for research; but I don't pretend to know any answers there. I may have something to say about the "free will" issue, if time permits (and if I'm not predetermined to ignore it).

I'm dazzled by the effort you've put into this. [Enthusiastic smooches!]

[knarf]

I'll need more than an afternoon to comprehend all of this, but ... thanx AG.

(Now ... where did I put those stackers???)

[Alamo-Girl]

Thank you so very much for sharing your reactions! Hugs and *smooches*!

I got into the Plato/Aristotle debate because, laying the Intelligent Design Movement aside, IMHO it lies at the root of what the mathematicians and physicists are bringing to "the table."

As to the beginnings, well, I guess you are right - I am philosophically audacious - but it seemed appropriate to connect the thoughts.