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As we discussed in class Darwinian evolution can be applied to both science and philosophy. Although it may be difficult to summarize the implications of evolution by natural selection, Darwin's Dangerous Idea has made it even more difficult. The correlation between natural selection and "universal acid" has forced me to examine natural selection outside of biology. I was hesitant to explore beyond scientific theory to a philosophical level, but Dennett's digressions on the meaning of life were too fascinating to resist. "Universal acid" is the eloquent rationalization of Darwinism that I have been searching for:

"The most common fear about Darwin's idea is that it will not just explain but explain away the Minds and Purposes and Meanings that we all hold dear. People fear that once this universal acid had passed through the monuments we cherish, they will cease to exist, dissolved and unrecognizable and unlovable puddle of scientistic destruction" (82).