> > [Platt] > > Animals have memory but not the capacity to pass it on from one > generation > > to the next. What they do have is instinct -- a static pattern of > behavior > > without choice, preventing them from responding to DQ. Plants, ants > and > > antelopes are stuck. > > > > [Krimel] > > One might as easily say that genetic memory, passed from parent to > > offspring, uniquely prepares each generation with the capacity to > respond > > to DQ. > > > mel: > Animals DO have the capacity to pass on > experience from one generation to the next. > It is decidedly more limited than man's capacity, > but present nonetheless. > > Look at the hunt-by-example display a mother > bear/lion/wolf shows her young. It is not by > words, but by actions. > > If it were purely hard-wired-instinct there would > be no need to teach the young. The niche of > some animals requires no additional teaching, > but mammals, especially predators and their > herd prey, often need to learn skills not in their > bodies at birth. > > thanks--mel > > [Krimel] > Teasing out which parts of behavior result from nature and which from > nurture is an ongoing issue in psychology and certainly in biology. > Reptiles > and insects seem to require little in the way of nurture. The higher up > the > food chain we go the more nurturing is required and yet the hand of > nature > is always present. Even in humans language, while learned, evidences a > strong biological component. We are biologically predisposed to learn > certain things at certain times. But yes, animals can even be shown to > pass > along learned novel behaviors. The example of chimpanzee's termite > fishing > comes to mind. Not all chimpanzee troops evidence this behavior but it > is > wide spread in troops that have discovered the skill. Has anyone identified the chimp who was first to fish for termites?
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