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Homeostasis: The Bottom Line

Homeostasis -- an internal physiological environment that stays stable with all processes in equilibrium -- is needed in the most utter absolute sense for any life to maintain itself and thrive. Because all physiological systems are interdependent, if just one physiologic system is permanently altered to the smallest degree (e..g by "positive" mutation that might lead to evolution), then all other systems would at least have to be immediately capable of compensating for that change. If the change that occurred were significant... all other systems would have to change simultaneously in a non-random, integrated manner to accommodate it. (emphases author's)

Thus, homeostasis becomes the far-reaching, core physiological principle that is the essential foundation to the survival and thriving of any plant, bacterial or animal life form. It is the biological equivalent of a philosophical "first principle", something that is self-evident and does not require reasoning to establish it, something that is physically and absolute foundation -- in this case for life itself. (emphases author's)

Then the good doctor asks the really big $64. question to cut to the chase and get us to that "bottom line":

How does this physiological principle apply to evolution?

In the case of both a positive, minor random mutation as well as a major one (or set of ones), the animal in which these occurred could not wait for the necessary other random mutations to happen to bring all of its affected physiologic systems up to speed, to synchronize them with the initial change. All changes would have to occur immediately and simultaneously. Otherwise, the animal's internal physiological environment would become unstable and would no longer be in equilibrium. And if that outcome should happen? Not only would the animal not thrive but its vitality would be degraded at the very least; more likely, it would die. (emphases the author's)

The problem: Could all affected physiologic systems change simultaneously as required? The answer is: No. That such integrated changes could ever take place simultaneously is literally impossible because evolution mandates that all such changes must occur -- randomly. Recall what random implies for evolution, "that its process must be considered in the most complete and absolute sense, to be utterly without any:

purpose, direction or pattern
predictable order (i.e. it is disorderly)
plan, outcome or objective
conscious input or influence"

Homeostasis is the biological requirement that locks any animal's descendant into being the same essential animal as was its ancestor...

So, where does homeostasis leave evolution as science and fact? As far as science is concerned , evolution would have to demonstrate with definitive, direct evidence 1.) that one could actually evolve to an entirely different animal and 2.) specifically show how, on the basis of random mutations, homeostasis was preserved. Until that happens the theory of evolution cannot be considered fact. In fact...The biological first principle of homeostasis is the Achilles' Heel of evolution (emphases mine and his)

So, there you have, folks. In the next post, we'll examine how Wilson earlier determined the definition of "random".