Spontaneous emergence? Or scientese?

The major parts of the molecules to man story of evolution are little more than claims without evidence. As an example of this, we're told repeatedly that life isn't a miracle of revelation, but merely an inevitable accident.

Quotes and comments;
"Life is an obligatory manifestation of matter... It's spontaneous emergence [was] inevitable under the conditions that existed on the pre-biotic earth. [It is] bound to occur similarly wherever and whenever similar conditions obtain..." - Christian de Duve

- Really? This amounts to a claim without evidence to back it up (as required in rational argument). I realize he offers various scenarios and speculations to back up his claim, but I see no evidence.

Duve's claim has to be one of the most foolish statements ever penned by man or ape. (But let's try to be serious.) Let's look at his statement. Let's begin by stripping out the abstractions and reifications. Let's start with life. Since we only know 'life' as genetic code, let's rephrase his statement in a concrete manner. It then reads, "Genetic code, is an obligatory manifestation of matter."

This amounts to saying matter is obliged (by government edict?) to produce genetic code? One wonders how mere matter (impersonal and stupid) is going to do this. (Is there a EU procedural manual it can use?) How can code be produced by some-thing that has no code, nor is capable of producing code?

Does inert matter realize it has this obligation? Has it received a letter from NASA? Attempted humor aside, Duve presumably means that living organisms must be explained by necessary cause. (The three kinds of cause are generally taken to be; necessary, chance and designed.) But where is the necessity? There is no necessity (to accomplish teological goals) only rigid, inflexible laws - only the death march of cause and effect, the mindless (uncreative) repetition of reaction.

Duve's statement can only mean that 'life' was somehow inside matter and somehow was expressed (manifested). Is this what we see? When you put 'matter' under the microscope do you see 'life' sitting there? (Not where I live.) Is there genetic code hidden away in granite? in hydrogen? Is there genetic code in matter? Obviously not. How then can 'life' (a reification) be a 'manifestation' of matter? This defies all we know about biology. It defies all we know about science. It defies all we know about logic. So then, how is this an obligatory (necessary) manifestation of matter?

One might wonder where the obligation of a scientist to be honest is; but maybe scientists aren't under the kinds of obligations matter is. If science is defined as working within the bounds of known physical law - then this is not a scientific statement or scenario.

Obligatory manifestation is strange language by the way; it sounds more like spiritism than science.
- Does 'spontaneous emergence' really mean anything? Isn't this 'scientese' for 'I don't have the foggiest idea'?

Notes;
1. Christian de Duve 'The beginnings of life on earth' [American Scientist/1995] from 'Dismantling the Big Bang' - Alex Williams, John Hartnett/p.158
2. Manifestation;
a. 'The act of manifesting or disclosing what is secret, unseen, or obscure; a making evident to the eye or to the understanding; the exhibition of something by clear evidence; display; revelation: as, the manifestation of God's power in creation. [Century Dictionary]
- Duve has objectified (reified?) manifestation... he's made a noun of a verb? (Is this just a translation problem? I doubt it.)
b. an appearance in bodily form (as of a disembodied spirit)
- so the spirit of matter manifested itself in a living organism :=)
c. 'The materialization or apparition of a spirit; -- a phenomenon claimed to be seen by spiritualists.
d. 'A public demonstration, usually of a political nature.
- Perhaps 'life' is a manifestation of matter in the way Darwinism is a manifestation of atheism or materialism. Perhaps it's a manifestation of matter in the way the ACLU is a manifestation of anti-Christianity.
e. The embodiment of an intangible, or variable thing.
Obligatory;
- I don't know if we have a translation problem here but obligatory is a strange word to use of mere matter. This is a poor use of language as only people can have obligations. I've checked many different dictionaries, and none uses obligation of inanimate objects. (I know scientists are allowed a lot of liberties, but are they allowed to ignore language conventions as well?)
Obligation;
'A social, legal, or moral requirement, such as a duty, contract, or promise that compels one to follow or avoid a particular course of action.
- Matter could only be under an obligation to produce life forms if some atheist put it under such obligation. (I jest; but how do you take a claim like this seriously?) It's true that atheists say very nice things about matter, but I don't think matter feels obligated by this kindness to perform supernatural tricks and stunts as a kind of payback.)
- Being a mere, lowly blogger, I'm under no obligation to take Duve's claim seriously... but I wish people would. When you look at it critically it just falls apart... it's nothing more than his desire the universe turn out in a way that suits him. (He apparently doesn't even feel obligated to use logic in his analysis; or to conform to known science.)