Are instincts stored/imprinted on the DNA?
I've just started to read "How the Mind Works" by Steven Pinker - and the first chapter is on this very topic. He's diligent about explaining the dangers of believing "genes cause instinct or behaviour" - dangers which have made this a very controversial topic. He says there are three main dangers flagged up by the opponents to the idea of "evolutionary psychology":1: different races have a different genetic mix, so saying "genes CAUSE behaviour" opens the door for all sorts of racist / discriminatory / neo-Nazi claptrap.2: to say that "survival of the fittest" is "natural human behaviour" allows people to behave obnoxiously and selfishly.3: for an individual to state "my behaviour is CAUSED by my genes" removes their free will and personal responsibility from the equation.As I understood it, all three of these arguments are, he claims, a product of a poor understanding and over-simplification of the concept of evolutionary psychology. According to Pinker, there could be many genes that could predispose us to all sorts of (often contradictory) behaviours, and all of these behaviours are also influenced by our personal circumstances, experiences and the knowledge we've learned about the world, too.In other words- genes play a part, but it's much more complicated than that. And to equate the "personal / human goals" of an individual with the "goal" of their genes to survive into subsequent generations is a big mistake.Must get on and read the rest of the book. It's been brilliant so far. Unweaving the Rainbow by Dawkins is another book that covers the topic - I'd also recommend that, too.
Why are dogs scared of thunderstorms according to science?
Loud noises trigger dogs’ nervous systems, which cause them to feel anxious or afraid. This trigger is a survival instinct that’s deeply embedded in a lot of dogs. This survival instinct is what causes your dog to run from the noise or seek shelter under a bed.Even the most well behaved dog can forget his training when he feels his life could be threatened.For example, you may have a dog that walks beautifully off the leash. He knows how to not wander away, how not to chase birds or squirrels, and how to cross the road with you. However, you may be outside walking one day and hear a clash of thunder. Before you know it, your dog is nowhere in sight.This isn’t your dog being naughty.Your dog ran in an effort to protect himself. In fact, he’s probably looking back trying to find where his human went and is wondering why you didn’t run for your safety as well.Because this is such a deeply embedded trait in many dogs, it can be challenging to stop unwanted dog behaviors that arise due to loud noises. There are, however, many things you can do to help decrease your dog’s stress levels so naughty behaviours don’t occur.
What is a man's hero instinct?
.A man's hero instinct is his desire to be important. It is his urge to show how strong, effective and sociable he is amongst his peers. He adores those who admire his courage, conquers and sense of pride which he desires to uplift. He has a perception of himself, a Superman, a dependable man in all things. These instincts inspire him to become better and to push further to maintain this status which he has created for himself. These hero instincts are fuelled by humans natural instincts which our instincts for survival and instincts for expansion. It is embedded in man’s desire to be better than what he used to be. His desire to expand another horizon and be able to move in a path that seems unfamiliar to him before. It is the desire to improve, grow and make a mark. It is one of the driving force of all human inventions and it has advanced the human society.This hero instinct is not just about a single action, it is relative to the environment and cultural dispositions. In some cultures a man's hero instinct could be being a warrior, in some, it could be being a great magician, sometimes it's being a king or a ruler. In all these cultural diversity a nation in such environment gives all his best to attain this height. Sometimes it is about how well you make use of some uncommon talents and superpowers hidden inside of you. It is being that person who does something uncommon and wins at the end of the day. It is one of those things which attracts opposite partners.In the world were for ages awarded accolades to heroes and despised villains. It becomes a natural thing for everyone to seek greatness to be able to see he or herself relevant in the society. The desire to hold onto such feelings of becomes are residing thing. In our world where those who have ruled empires, kingdoms and clans attained such feat by being heroic. By their acts of bravery, courage, and wisdom. It becomes desirable and attractive for one to have this quality.In our world where wealth and other great accomplishments are gained by being able to shoulder up responsibility. It means that everyone who desires to become relevant and prosperous will go in line with those great attributes, will find a greater result. The heroic instincts becomes a desirous thing.
Did anyone read Lord Of the Flies?? by William Golding??
If so.... when they kill simon, do they even notice it was Simon or are the only people who know it was Simon Piggy and Ralph... also, how does Jack kill Piggy... or who does it?? help please~!!!
Human behavior vs Animal behavior?
I have to come up with an idea for a final year project for my last year at university. I am on a multimedia design course and the project can be about anything, we would create a multimedia artefact based on our topic but it has to be unique and mean something to us, working on it for a year. How far do you think the question of morality of humans and their behavior vs animal behavior could take me, can I make the point that animals hold some sort of similar values as us but being human it can take a twist on things. I think the idea of this project would be to remind people of how things in nature are related to our own origins. The idea to promote common sense among all people, and see how our own nature can be quite corrupt. The Native Americans could be an example of how one group for peoples found a special connection to the earth and lived in harmony with nature and lived more like the animals. This idea is very abstract in my mind at the moment but what do you think of the general idea, I need some guidance. What I said above may appear incoherent and messy but I am just trying to outline the general idea. Thanks
What is the true reason for living? Life is horrible, so why do animals, plants, and humans live? Survival is horrible and exhausting. Why is the instinct to survive embedded in us?
Survival is a part of self organization. The self organization’s basic instinct is SSP (Survival, Sustenance and Propagation of own species). Most of living world has this automated basic instinct. Life is a struggle for most of the living world. The struggle is because of many reasons. Some of them being, one living thing is the food of another living, another being our inbuilt emotions make us greedy and selfish out of SSP instinct. This instinct is extremely difficult to come over. Only Saints have overcome it. Thirdly life could be considered as a game of survival so the competition is going to be part of life. we compete for restricted quantity of food, water and natural resources. Some population grabs them leaving others to struggle to survive. To fight this struggle one needs a philosophical approach. Consider life to be too precious product of evolution. Is is sparsely evolved in the universe. Only earth as a planet is endowed with it by the circumstances. is visible to us. We have not been able to detect even a primitive life in nearby universe.Philosophically consider it to be a real life game and live it in that spirit on this earth or be spiritual, meditate , try to conquer your emotions, reduce self or Ego in you as far as possible and do not fear a death as it is natural for all livings to die.
How do I stop my cat from killing birds?
You can’t. Cats are natural predators and birds are on the menu. The only way you can stop your cat from catching birds is by stopping your cat from having access to them. The only way you’ll do that is by keeping your cat inside. However, if it is otherwise safe, this may be cruel, particularly in Europe, Africa and most of Asia where the domestic cat and its near relatives are really a part of the indigenous fauna. In contrast, cats are a menace in Australia and New Zealand and keeping them indoors is probably a responsible thing to do. In the Americas, the situation is less clear cut because, while the domestic cat originates from the Middle East, there are similar species in the Americas, particularly in Argentina and Chile. US Americans seem to think that cats should only be kept indoors. However, they are only semi-domesticated and controlling their instincts by keeping them indoors when it’s otherwise safe for them to be outside may not be best for their happiness. The US does have more predators capable of eating cats than does Europe and that could be a reason for saying that it’s best to keep them inside.Cats will not respond to their humans’ horror at being presented with a kill. When I was a small child, my family had a cat called George. We didn’t have a cat flap and I remember on more than one occasion my mother shouting at the kitchen window, “George, drop the mouse! Then I’ll let you in.” George sat at the window for hours with a mouse in his mouth. (photo c.1970.)