GOD: WHOLE ARTIST, WHOLE ARCHITECT, AND WHOLE DESIGNER

"THE GRAND DESIGN" BY STEPHEN HAWKING - A FUNDAMENTALLY FLAWED ARGUMENT:




Stephen Hawking's The Grand Design is a fundamentally flawed argument. The Universe is created with a purpose. It is created to provide a home for my human existence. Stephen Hawking has to validate his argument and prove that there is no purpose and there is no design.



The word 'DESIGN' means making a preliminary plan for an intended purpose. Could a spontaneous event provide me with a place to live in this Universe? This Universe is designed as it serves me and other life forms a purpose.

Science is knowledge derived from verifiable evidence. An important characteristic of the scientific method is that if a claim is made, it must be verifiable by other people. The word 'DESIGN' means to make a plan or to form a plan in the mind, a purpose, intention, aim for an outcome; a preliminary sketch to work from to produce a thing planned for. Any action or activity which is spontaneous in nature cannot be a product of 'Design'. The word 'CREATION' means an act that is inspired by a creative thought or influence. Creation cannot be a spontaneous act. Creation is driven by inspiration. Stephen Hawking has not chosen his words carefully and his claims would only add confusion and could be misinterpreted. As a Physicist, and to present a scientific thought or concept, he must present his views not as a matter of faith or belief but that of reason supported by an accepted body of information that can withstand verification. The concept of 'Logical Positivism' states that "Something could be said to be true if and only if it could be verified by logical or scientific procedures." If a 'Designer' described as 'God' is not known by scientific methods or procedures, it may not mean that the 'Designer' or 'God' does not exist. Science may provide some understanding of natural principles and Physical Laws that could explain what individuals know and experience about the world around them and inside them. Could we extend the scientific methodology of an investigation into every field of inquiry? Could we find Truth and Reality as an external experience? Is it possible to visualize Truth and Reality if the Object of our inquiry is not dependent on us for its existence? If I am the subject identified as the 'Knower', I can know about the existence of an 'Object', if my existence is dependent upon the existence of that unknown 'Object'. The 'Designer' called 'God' is not dependent upon me for His existence in the Universe. On the contrary, I recognize that my existence is not truly independent by its nature. I may not gain direct sensory experience of 'God' or the 'Designer', but the nature of my dependent existence points towards the direction of an entity that may sustain my existence. The Mechanistic Concept described by Dr. Stephen Hawking fails to account for the apparent purpose with which Universe exists and the function of Living systems that populate this Universe.




The State Tree of California, Sequoia sempervirens, Family Taxodiaceae, The Bald-Cypress Family, The Tallest tree in the world. Redwoods could be 385 feet tall. I am using the Redwoods as an example of a Living System to know if God created this Universe.

 

Is this God's creation? A vacuum pump cannot pull water to a height of more than 33 feet or about 10 meters  These trees pump water upwards using the process of Xylem Transport. During transpiration water is pulled up along a pressure gradient. A transpiring Sequoia would have a pressure in the Xylem of minus 14 atmospheres at the top if the atmospheric pressure at the base of the tree is one atmosphere.
The Redwoods represent the oldest living systems on planet Earth. Some trees have the estimated age of 3,500 years. The Mechanistic concept cannot explain living functions like water transportation. The Laws of Physics and Chemistry are not adequate. The tree actively uses the chemical energy it generates and pumps up water to an amazing height. If the soil is dry and the atmospheric pressure drops at the base of the tree to a level like 10 atmospheres, this tree maintains the pressure gradient; the pressure at the top drops to minus 25 atmospheres. The tree is conscious of its own state of living and the environment in which it exists and has the ability to exploit Laws of Physics to sustain its own existence.



Sequoiadendron giganteum - The Giant Redwoods represent the Most massive Living Thing on the face of planet Earth. The Giant Redwood could attain an immense height of about 325 feet and a trunk diameter of 30 feet.
The Redwoods display the characteristics of intelligence, design, purpose, and ability to function in this Universe as a Living System. The shoot displays the phenomenon called 'phototropism' and literally grows towards heavens and the roots grow in a direction away from light and firmly establish the existence of the tree apart from nourishing its growth with water. Mechanistic Laws and principles cannot explain Living Functions.

THE 'FINITE' AND THE 'INFINITE':




St Thomas Aquinas had argued that the 'finite' points beyond itself to the 'Infinite' as its sustaining cause. I support this argument. Universe includes all matter and energy that exists. To answer the question about the creation of this Universe and its purpose, we need to reflect upon the sustaining cause of Living Systems of this Universe.
St Thomas Aquinas had suggested that we need to recognize the existence of things that might be objects of everyday experience. Reflection on everyday things and the everyday world reveals it as pointing beyond itself to God as its sustaining cause. Human beings are in the process of constant change and the change is not the result of their own efforts, and even when it is, it does not depend on them exclusively. No object in the familiar world can fully account for its own act of existing, nor is it wholly self-sufficient; all are affected from without, operate in an environment that is not their own making. Living Organisms are Finite. The Finite points beyond itself to the Infinite. The system of limited beings, each dependent for its activity on something else of the same kind demands for its completion the existence of an 'Unlimited Being', one that is the source of change in other things but is not subject to change itself. Such an 'Unlimited Being' would be the 'First Cause' or 'Ultimate Cause' - it would be the 'Unconditioned Condition' of the existence of all other things. St Thomas Aquinas has believed that human reason can produce the definitive proofs of the existence of an Infinite Being.

THE PURPOSE OF UNIVERSE:


What is the purpose of this Universe? If the Universe has no purpose, why does it provide me a place to live in it? Living Systems recognize and display awareness, responsiveness, and consciousness of the Beauty and Order of the Universe which provides them a Natural Habitat.

The Greek word for Universe is 'COSMOS' which stands for Beauty and Order. The Universe is everything that exists; all matter and energy; all living, nonliving matter, and all forms of energy including the chemical energy that living entities use to establish, and to sustain their existence in support of various living functions. The Universe is immense and could be of unknown proportions. Earth is nearly 13,000 km across, a tiny speck among myriads of larger and smaller specks in the Universe. I seek the Knowledge of the Universe as it exists with a purpose. The purpose of the Universe is to provide me and other life forms a place to live in it. 

THE PLANETS OF THE SOLAR SYSTEM:



Each planet of our Solar System exists as a unique, original, one of its own kind of object.
Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars are known as the terrestrial planets. Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune are planets of the Outer Solar System. Pluto could be viewed as an Interplanetary Object if not as the ninth planet of the Solar System. Earth is the only planet with vast expanses of liquid water. Earth has a Nitrogen-Oxygen atmosphere filled with water vapor. Earth has a magnetic field indicative of a liquid metal core with electric currents in the metal. 

The Rotational Spin of Planets:




The creation of Day and Night could be stated as a purpose of this Rotation.



If a mechanism serves an apparent purpose, could it be the outcome of a 'Design'?

 

A mechanical force is required to impart an initial momentum to spin an object. The force that initiated the rotational spin has also generated the "ILLUSION" of Sunrise and Sunset.


Moon is our nearest celestial object. Its rotation and revolution serve a purpose.



The Strange Story of Mercury - There is a curious relationship between Mercury's Rotation and its orbital Revolution around the Sun. Mercury has a 59 day period of Rotation and 88 days orbital Revolution period. This provides a striking contrast to appreciate Earth's Rotation and Revolution.



Planet Mars has a Rotation period similar to Earth - 24 hours 37 minutes, but the seasons in Mars are twice long and the year in Mars is twice long as compared to Earth. Mars has a very thin carbon Dioxide atmosphere and is also characterized by the paucity of organic molecules. The mechanical Laws of Physics are important and they provide interesting explanations to our observations of this Universe.



Venus is Earth-sized. Venus has a rotation unlike that of Mercury, Earth, and Mars which have 'Prograde Rotation'-spin from west to east. Venus has 'Retrograde' Rotation-spin from east to west. Venus' spin is also unusually very slow, taking 243 days to make a complete turn on its axis. Venus is very hot due to its Carbon Dioxide atmosphere and the Greenhouse Effect. Venus cannot support life.



Planet Uranus provides the contrast that I need to know about the planets of our Solar System. It is different from Jupiter, Saturn, and Neptune. What is the purpose? It tells me that Earth functions with a purpose.

Different planets have different rates of rotation. We use Earth's spin to define coordinate systems for locating objects both on the ground and the sky. The timekeeping system that we use is related to the rotation of the Earth. My human existence in this Universe is synchronized with the rotational spin of the Earth. The spin gives me alternating periods of light and darkness known as Day and Night while the Sun is shining all the time. The material energy that imparted the necessary momentum to initiate the rotational spin could be described as "MAYA"; a Fundamental Force that causes Illusion. The illusion of Sunrise and Sunset governs my Biological Rhythm which is named as Solar Rhythm, Diurnal Rhythm, and Circadian Rhythm. The Laws of Physics may give an explanation for the rotational spin of planet Earth. However, I claim that the rotational spin has a purpose. The purpose of the rotational spin of planet Earth is to transform my "FUTURE" into "PAST" and my "PRESENT" is a mere instant in this Future-Past Continuum. My body experiences aging using an internal timing mechanism which measures the length of my days and nights that I spend on planet Earth. This timing mechanism is known as 'Biological Clock' has a plan for my dissolution as an Individual at the end of a predetermined time. My life span is governed by the rotational spin of Earth, a product of ILLUSION called 'MAYA'. If in Truth and Reality, I exist as an Eternal Entity; an Entity that is never born, Unborn, which has no Beginning, no Middle, and no End; the rotational spin generates the ILLUSION of my Dissolution. The methodologies used by Science may not have the ability to refute or establish the Truth and Reality of the Human Existence with a Past, Present, and a Future. 



The Biological Clock serves a purpose. It has a plan for my 'Dissolution'. However, it is managed by a Fundamental Force called 'MAYA' which generates an 'Illusion'; the ILLUSION of Sunrise and Sunset while the Sun is shining all the time. What is Reality?

Please also view my blog post titled 'Earthly Existence - The Cosmic Connection' 
http://bhavanajagat.wordpress.com/2010/04/22/the-creation-of-day-and-night-a-synchronized-existence/
Rudra N. Rebbapragada/R. Rudra Narasimham, B.Sc., M.B.B.S.,
Ann Arbor, Michigan, U.S.A.,
Organization: The Spirits of Special Frontier Force.

London: British physicist Stephen Hawking has said that the creation of the universe was a result of the inevitable laws of physics and it did not need God's help. 
In his latest book titled "The Grand Design", Hawking writes: "Because there is a law such as gravity, the universe can and will create itself from nothing. Spontaneous creation is the reason there is something rather than nothing, why the universe exists, why we exist." 
He rejects Isaac Newton's theory that the universe did not spontaneously begin to form but was set in motion by God. He wrote in the 1988 book: "If we discover a complete theory, it would be the ultimate triumph of human reason -- for then we should know the mind of God." 
"It is not necessary to invoke God to light the blue touch-paper and set the universe going," the Daily Telegraph quoted Hawking as writing in his current book. 
Hawking argues that the Big Bang which resulted in the creation of the Solar System and planets, including the earth, was the result of the inevitable laws of physics and God was nowhere in the picture. Earlier, a few scientists, including Hawking himself, had said that the spark plug that kick-started the universe through the Big Bang was probably provided by God. 
Extracts of The Grand Design was published in Eureka magazine in The Times. And in that Hawking is quoted as saying: "It is not necessary to invoke God to light the blue touch-paper and set the Universe going." 
Hawking had been putting forward the `no-God' theory for quite some time. In June, he had told a Channel 4 series that a "personal" God did not exist.  
"The question is: is the way the universe began chosen by God for reasons we can't understand, or was it determined by a law of science? I believe the second. If you like, you can call the laws of science 'God', but it wouldn't be a personal God that you could meet, and ask questions." 
However, there are unexplained phenomena in astrophysics. For example, researchers are yet to identify the `dark matter' that comprise over 75 per cent of the universe. Black holes, dark energy and God's particle -- phenomena that resulted either in the formation of the universe or in its death, have not been conclusively explained by science. 

The Grand Design, co-written by American physicist Leonard Mlodinow, is published on September 9. 

THE DESIGNING OF RED BLOOD CELL

WHOLE DUDE - WHOLE DESIGNER - RED BLOOD CELL:

[] WholeDude - WholeDesigner - Red Blood Cells: In multicellular organisms, cells with the same genes must differentiate into many types. Complex control mechanisms determine which genes are active in a given cell at a given time. Human life begins as a single fertilized Egg Cell. The multicellular organism grows and develops as it has definite capabilities for differentiation. The "Design" of cells has been modified to serve the specialized functions of tissues and organs that comprise the human body. Red Blood Cells are "designed" to perform their highly specialized functions.
If man is viewed as a multicellular organism, the human subject finds his objective existence because of the living functions of the cells, tissues, and organ systems that provide the biological basis for that existence. In multicellular eukaryotes, cells with the same genes must differentiate into many types. Multicellularity is accomplished by definite capabilities for differentiation. The functional differentiation is not a simple process that can be called adaptation. To achieve differentiation, complex control mechanisms determine which genes are active in a given cell at a given time. The "Design" of cells has been modified by a predetermined plan to serve the specialized function of tissues and organs. The structural differentiation and the functional organization of various organ systems makes the man a very complex living organism. It must be clearly understood that the living cell is a thermodynamically unstable system. This means that without a continuous input of energy, a cell will degrade spontaneously into a nonliving collection of molecules. The cells that comprise the human organism derive their energy by oxidation of food substances such as glucose. The cells of the body require oxygen to obtain the energy stored in food substances. The loss of oxygen is very critical as there is no means of storing oxygen in the human body. During the entire course of human life, the human body requires continuous delivery of oxygen to its various cells, tissues, and organs. The Red Blood Cells display functional subordination to the requirements of the organism as a Whole. Altruism is a theory of conduct that regards the good of others as the end of moral action. The Red Blood Cells have very short, individual lifespans and the entire period of their existence involves unselfish concern for the welfare of other cells.

THE RED BLOOD CELL - ERYTHROCYTE - THE RED CORPUSCLE:

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Whole Dude-Whole Designer - Red Blood Cell: Erythropoiesis. Red Blood Cells are formed in the bone marrow. Hemoglobin Synthesis begins during the Proerythroblast stage of the RBC Cycle. Heme synthesis takes place in the mitochondria and the protein, globin molecule is synthesized in ribosomes. The mature Red Cells have no nuclei and no intracellular organelles like the mitochondria and the ribosomes.[]


Whole Dude-Whole Designer - Red Blood Cell: Red Blood Cells are packed with hemoglobin. Each Red Cell contains over 600 million hemoglobin molecules. A normal man has about 5 liters of blood containing more than 25 trillion Red Blood Cells. Each lives for about 100 to 120 days. Red Blood Cells sustain their meager energy needs by a form of anaerobic respiration. If a man is viewed as a biotic community of cells, Red Cells show no concern for their individual gains or losses and they serve and contribute to the continuation of the Whole community.
Red Blood Cells, or Erythrocytes, or Red Corpuscles are tiny, flat, round, biconcave disks, with depressed center, averaging 7.5 microns in diameter. In its profile view, the Red Blood Cell appears dumbbell-shaped. A normal man has about 5  liters of blood containing more than 25 trillion Red Blood Cells. There are about 5.2 million Red Blood Cells per cubic millimeter of blood in adult humans. The normal lifespan of Red Cells is only about 100 to 120 days. More than 200 billion Red Cells are normally destroyed each day by the spleen and must be replaced. The creation of new Red Cells and their subsequent destruction proceeds during all the days of human life. The Red Cells give the blood its characteristic color. The cell is flexible and can change its shape to pass through extremely small blood vessels. It is covered with a membrane composed of lipids and proteins. The mature Red Blood Cells lacks a nucleus and hence cannot divide into new daughter cells. The mature Red Blood Cell also lacks intracellular organelles called mitochondria which provide energy for metabolic functions. During the course of its development and maturation, the nucleus and mitochondria disappear from the Red Cell. The amount of oxygen required by the Red Cell for its own metabolism is very low. The Red Cell shows the features of a careful design or plan that makes it perform its function of delivering oxygen with great efficiency. In invertebrate organisms, the oxygen-carrying pigment called Heme is found in a free state in the plasma for they lack the Red Blood Cells. The concentration of Heme pigment and the biconcave shape of the Red Blood Cell makes it very efficient  to perform the function of exchange of gases; the Red Cell can deliver almost all of its oxygen it carries and free it into the tissues where there is demand for oxygen and its shape allows oxygen exchange at a constant rate over the largest possible area.
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Whole Dude-Whole Designer - Red Blood Cell: The Red Cell has the ability to work as an oxygen sensor and it also has the ability to modulate the tone of the blood vessel in which it travels passively. By initiating a mechanism, the Red Cell can cause an effect called vasodilation that would increase the flow of blood in blood vessels to meet the local tissue oxygen demand.  WholeDude-Whole Designer - Red Blood Cell: The Red Cells move passively in the blood circulation, but can actively interact with the blood vessel in response to the oxygen tension of the tissues. These interactions are helped by PR(Purinergic Receptor), Erythrocyte-derived Adenosine triphosphate(ATP), Gi(Heterotrimeric G Protein), cAMP(3'5'-Adenosine monophosphate), PKA(Protein Kinase A), CFTR(Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator,? unidentified conduit for ATP release + stimulation. Through the oxygen-dependent release of the vasodilator ATP, signal transduction within the RBC and microvessels, the SMC(the smooth muscle cell) of the blood vessel is stimulated to dilate. The signals pass through the Endo(endothelium) or the cells that line the inner surface of the blood vessel.[/caption]
The main function of the Red Cells is to transport oxygen from the lungs to the tissues and organs of the entire human body. During the process of oxidation, the cells generate carbon dioxide as a waste product which must be removed. The Red Cells carry carbon dioxide to the lungs and release it to be returned to the atmospheric air. This is possible because of hemoglobin which forms an unstable, reversible bond with oxygen; in the oxygenated state it is called Oxyhemoglobin and is bright red in color. When oxygen is delivered, in the reduced state the hemoglobin is purple-blue and this color can be easily noticed from the color of the veins that return blood to the heart from various parts of the body. Asphyxiation occurs when the blood contains an excess of substances like carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide with which hemoglobin forms semipermanent or permanent compounds instead of reversible bonds that hemoglobin forms with oxygen.
[] WholeDude-Whole Designer - Red Blood Cell: The Red Blood Cell is designed to efficiently perform its specialized functions.[]
Whole Dude-Whole Designer - Red Blood Cell: The regulation of oxygen delivery. The Red Cell Membrane transport protein "Band3" uses ion exchange transport mechanism to promote the release of oxygen from hemoglobin.[] WholeDude - WholeDesigner - Red Blood Cell: Oxygen Delivery is carefully regulated to maintain it at appropriate amounts as both excess and shortage in the delivery of oxygen can be harmful.
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Whole Dude-WholeDesigner - Red Blood Cell: The Red Cell apart from delivering oxygen, plays a role in the regulation of blood flow. Red Cells sequentially consume and release Nitric Oxide(NO) for control of blood flow in response to changing oxygen levels.[]

WholeDude-Whole Designer - Red Blood Cell: Metabolic Sensor in Red Cell, Ion Exchange Transport mechanism, Release of Nitric Oxide to modulate Vascular tone and to cause vasodilation.
HEME PIGMENT AND HEMOGLOBIN - THE MAGIC OF CREATION:
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Whole Dude-Whole Designer - Red Blood Cell: The Magic of Creation will be appreciated by simply comparing the structure of the Hemoglobin molecule with Chlorophyll molecule. The affinity of Hemoglobin molecule for oxygen is predetermined by the ability of Chlorophyll molecule to trap radiant energy which is converted into chemical energy during the photosynthetic reaction. These molecules perform goal-oriented, sequential actions to achieve a predetermined purpose. Living things obtain energy, not because of random, unguided, interactions of chemical molecules. 
Whole Dude-Whole Designer - Red Blood Cell: The designing effect of pigments. Among biochromes, Heme, and Chlorophyll are the most important pigment substances that provide a striking contrast in color while having similar molecular structures.[]
Whole Dude-Whole Designer - Red Blood Cell: The four subunits( 2 alpha, and 2 beta chains) of tetrameric Hemoglobin molecules. The synthesis of these chains needs genetic information derived mainly from chromosomes 16 and 11. The Magic of Creation will be appreciated when its structure and function is compared with the structure and function of Chlorophyll molecules that impart a green color to plants. []
Whole Dude-Whole Designer - Red Blood Cell: Heme is a respiratory pigment found in the Red Blood Cells of all vertebrates and some invertebrates. A pigment is a substance that imparts color to materials. Plants derive their green color from Chlorophyll pigment, and blood derives its red color from Heme pigment. Both Chlorophyll and Heme are similar molecules containing ring structures called Porphyrins. Chlorophyll contains Magnesium and Heme contains Iron that imparts the red color.
Adult hemoglobin is an alpha(2): beta(2) tetrameric hemeprotein; a combination of heme and the protein component called globin. Each subunit of a hemoglobin tetramer has a heme prosthetic group. The variations in amino acid composition impart marked differences in hemoglobin's oxygen carrying properties. The quaternary structure of hemoglobin leads to physiologically important allosteric interactions between the subunits. Oxygen is incrementally loaded into the four subunits. In deoxygenated tissue, oxygen is incrementally unloaded from the four subunits and the affinity of hemoglobin for oxygen is reduced. Thus at the lowest oxygen tensions found in very active tissues, the bonding affinity of hemoglobin for oxygen is very low allowing maximal delivery of oxygen to the tissues. To maintain the status called good and positive health, the cells, tissues, and organs of the multicellular human organism have to be interacting with each other in a harmonious manner. These interactions during normal, good health display characteristics such as mutual assistance, mutual cooperation, mutual tolerance, and mutual functional subordination to provide a benefit to the human individual who lives because of the functions of the cells, tissues, and organs that comprise his human body.

SPIRITUAL BIOTIC INTERACTIONS - THE ROLE OF RED BLOOD CELLS:

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WholeDude - WholeDesigner - Red Blood Cell: The nature of Spiritual Biotic Interactions that maintain man's existence can be studied by knowing the role of Red Blood Cells and their interaction with the tissues, and organs of the entire human body.
The terrestrial human organism represents the biotic, or biological community of about 100 trillion, individual, independent, mostly autonomous living cells that participate in constant interactions with each other. These interactions at the cellular level are dependent upon the cognitive nature of the living cell. The living cell has the ability to recognize the presence of other cells in its immediate, external environment. The life of all of the cells in this biotic community that forms the human body requires energy input from an external source. The term "Spiritual" describes a relationship, a partnership, an association, a bonding, or a connection between two living entities that can formulate an interaction that can display features such as assistance, cooperation, tolerance, subservience, subordination, sympathy, and compassion to provide some benefit to the partner that is participating in the biotic interaction. The Red Blood Cells interact with the cells of tissues, and organs of the human body to provide them a service, assistance, or a benefit without seeking any benefit in return. The Red Blood Cells do not seek to reproduce, have the very minimal requirement for energy and willingly deliver oxygen to the tissues and relieve them from the burden imposed by the waste products of their metabolic activities. The 'spiritual' nature of such interaction is a reflection of the 'spiritual' nature of the Creator of the living entities who could be called the Whole Artist, the Whole Designer, or the Whole Architect who meticulously planned and instituted the mechanisms and provided the necessary tools for such varied interdependent, and interrelated interactions between living cells. Thus, the Red Blood Cells constitute the principal stabilizing, connective linkage among the trillions of living cells that comprise the biological community which gets recognized as the human being.

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