|
|
Re: Warning EVOLUTION Discussed!
JOHN LANGDON (LANGDON@GANDLF.UINDY.EDU)
Mon, 21 Feb 1994 12:22:08 -0500
In message "E.J. Ford CFS" writes:
> Briefly, I would like to respond to Seeker1's comments on my comments on
> adaptiveness.
>
> Seeker1 mentioned that he failed to see the adaptive value of fashion
> trends and hobbies, like pet rock ownership or sadomasochism. Clearly,
> these things can be explained as wasteful manifestations of human
> goofiness. However, they can also be explained as adaptive mechanisms.
>
> Play behavior, even violent play behavior, is hard wired into all the
> primates and many of the mammals. Why? It's adaptive. Even seemingly
> dangerous behaviors are encouraged from an evolutionary standpoint, just
> because it provides the variance needed for selection. Some people
> simply choose (for whatever reason) selections that some of us might find
> reppellant. Apply cultural relativism.
>
> As for nipple-rings and pacifiers, it offers the wearers a means of
> identifying people with similar interests. Most fassion trends are, even
> the anarchistic impulses of rebelious fashion plates like punk
> rockers or skinheads.
Give us a break. It is one thing to argue that play is an adaptive behavior. It
is something else entirely to suggest that specific play behaviors, e.g. "like
pet rock ownership or sadomasochism," are adaptive. These are expressions of a
human capacity for play; an emergent property of the mind. But that does not
mean that such behaviors themselves can be conceived of as adaptive.
JOHN H. LANGDON email LANGDON@GANDLF.UINDY.EDU
DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGY FAX (317) 788-3569
UNIVERSITY OF INDIANAPOLIS PHONE (317) 788-3447
INDIANAPOLIS, IN 46227
|