Wednesday, March 08, 2006
Gentic Traits - Convenient and Inconvenient
The search for a genetic source for the better and more selfless aspects of human behavior continues.
So, now we know such behavior may, on some level be instictive, not entirely taught - at least that is what they want us to decide based on this study. Let's stick to chimps. Suppose the contention true - altruism, selfless behavior is a genetic trait.
Then why do chimps ever behave in any other fashion? And yet there are reports of chimp murder, rape and other just darling behaviors.
You see, if everything is genetic, then behavior, good, bad, or indifferent should be entirely predictable. But it's not.
Now what's an evolutionary proponent to do?
Related Tags: evolution, altruism, good, selfless, religion
Infants as young as 18 months show altruistic behaviour, suggesting humans have a natural tendency to be helpful, German researchers have discovered.These studies are all an attempt to explain selfless behavior without appeal to a higher authority like, oh I don't know - GOD! One of the great problems with evolutionary theory is explaining selfless behavior.
In experiments reported in the journal Science, toddlers helped strangers complete tasks such as stacking books.
Young chimps did the same, providing the first direct evidence of altruism in non-human primates.
So, now we know such behavior may, on some level be instictive, not entirely taught - at least that is what they want us to decide based on this study. Let's stick to chimps. Suppose the contention true - altruism, selfless behavior is a genetic trait.
Then why do chimps ever behave in any other fashion? And yet there are reports of chimp murder, rape and other just darling behaviors.
You see, if everything is genetic, then behavior, good, bad, or indifferent should be entirely predictable. But it's not.
Now what's an evolutionary proponent to do?
Related Tags: evolution, altruism, good, selfless, religion
