donald r raab Wrote:
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> >
> Or the enigma of the legends. Hobbit is real so
> why not giants?
We've discussed this before I believe...
There's no reason why not particularly... but there's no proof of it either. Without proof, you can't admit to their existence... so, in the 'all things are possible' -- sure.
But is it likely?
Consider the Sudanese tribes (6' + average) or the even taller watusi.
Legends of giants could be derived from wandering adventurers.
Consider that there is no reason for a pituitary gland disorder to only be in modern times, and could also have been derived to the legend.
Legends and myths can have elements proven true - in a fairly exacting manner and with good evidential support. The proper direction there is to say that science eventually discovers some portion to be true.
But attempting to go the other direction... From legends to science, this isn't something you should be trying to do. It's been compared to determining the recipe from a product by analysis.. but it's not the same - most of the contents of a myth or legend are 'made up' or highly embellished.
So no, there's no reason why giants shouldn't exist (within a reasonable definition of giants -- 6-8' footers in the land of the 4-5 foot, not 20 footers) The larger the giant, the more improbable the existence of such a race, though individuals may exist (glandular disorders, etc.) Get too big and even they drop off the probability though.
However, there is no incontrovertible proof of their existence, thus their existence can not be included in the body of science from which to draw conclusions.