Cyprus-Forum.com

[cyprusgrump]

For instance, we’re all born atheists… it is our upbringing that brings us to believe in one god or another (or not).

Interesting you mention this one ... because they have recently found strong genetic evidence for a tendency to believe in imaginary stories without the need for proof, and these are predominant in religious people.

That explains a lot...

[Oracle]

Most animals are born with an instinctive fear of snakes ... so this has to be genetic, right?

Are they?

Why do so many dogs get bitten then?

Stupid?

[Oracle]

No seriously ....

Perhaps dogs are not that "natural" since we have been breeding out some traits and in-breeding others.

.... to provide a selection for our insatiable, humanly desires .......

[zan]

For instance, we’re all born atheists… it is our upbringing that brings us to believe in one god or another (or not).

Interesting you mention this one ... because they have recently found strong genetic evidence for a tendency to believe in imaginary stories without the need for proof, and these are predominant in religious people.

Likewise we are all born with no knowledge of animals – it is our upbringing and life experiences that leads us to love or loathe them. See also vegetarianism.

Most animals are born with an instinctive fear of snakes ... so this has to be genetic, right?

Seriously though...That is not true....A plastic snake was put into the enclosure of a Chimp camp and the camp consisted of Captured animals and those born in captivity...The first to notice it was a born in captivity Chimp and he went over to pick it up...When the captured chimps got site of it and raised the alarm, only then were the others scared and ran off.....Old thinking says that animals do not teach each other anything and all observations are proving that wrong..

[Oracle]

For instance, we’re all born atheists… it is our upbringing that brings us to believe in one god or another (or not).

Interesting you mention this one ... because they have recently found strong genetic evidence for a tendency to believe in imaginary stories without the need for proof, and these are predominant in religious people.

Likewise we are all born with no knowledge of animals – it is our upbringing and life experiences that leads us to love or loathe them. See also vegetarianism.

Most animals are born with an instinctive fear of snakes ... so this has to be genetic, right?

Seriously though...That is not true....A plastic snake was put into the enclosure of a Chimp camp and the camp consisted of Captured animals and those born in captivity...The first to notice it was a born in captivity Chimp and he went over to pick it up...When the captured chimps got site of it and raised the alarm, only then were the others scared and ran off.....Old thinking says that animals do not teach each other anything and all observations are proving that wrong..

The chimp in captivity had more knowledge of "plastic toys" ... so it knew not to be afraid of that which was not real .... unlike the wild chimps.

Not enough thought went into controls with that experiment ....

Your last statement does not fit very well into this experiment as an inference ... but is worthy of greater discussion ... later when I am back ... unless you want to offer more on it for me to peruse when I return.

[zan]

For instance, we’re all born atheists… it is our upbringing that brings us to believe in one god or another (or not).

Interesting you mention this one ... because they have recently found strong genetic evidence for a tendency to believe in imaginary stories without the need for proof, and these are predominant in religious people.

Likewise we are all born with no knowledge of animals – it is our upbringing and life experiences that leads us to love or loathe them. See also vegetarianism.

Most animals are born with an instinctive fear of snakes ... so this has to be genetic, right?

Seriously though...That is not true....A plastic snake was put into the enclosure of a Chimp camp and the camp consisted of Captured animals and those born in captivity...The first to notice it was a born in captivity Chimp and he went over to pick it up...When the captured chimps got site of it and raised the alarm, only then were the others scared and ran off.....Old thinking says that animals do not teach each other anything and all observations are proving that wrong..

The chimp in captivity had more knowledge of "plastic toys" ... so it knew not to be afraid of that which was not real .... unlike the wild chimps.

Not enough thought went into controls with that experiment ....

Your last statement does not fit very well into this experiment as an inference ... but is worthy of greater discussion ... later when I am back ... unless you want to offer more on it for me to peruse when I return.

As human beings we pass on our fears to our children without even knowing it....If the plastic snake had been real then the approaching chimp would have known not to approach the snake not because it has an innate fear of snakes but because of the snakes behavior. Warnings are clear in the animal world. Of course there are genetics at work but they are rudimentary as far as I am concerned. That could be the way some what seem like ridiculous phobias work..The message somehow gets mixed up at genetically and in stead of a general "Be cautious" gene, then "items" are placed into that file wrongly.

[Sotos]

I think it is both. Genes do not only affect your appearance they also affect everything else.

[Oracle]

I think it is both. Genes do not only affect your appearance they also affect everything else.

Yeah .... but does one have more control over the other?

If you are genetically "intelligent" ... would you never have to study to improve your intellect?...

Conversely if you were really stupid, how far can you improve with study, in order to fool people you were intelligent?

(No personal comments please, it would be just too easy! )

[purdey]

You opened the door Phoenix,but I owe you one...

[cyprusgrump]

I think it is both. Genes do not only affect your appearance they also affect everything else.

Yeah .... but does one have more control over the other?

If you are genetically "intelligent" ... would you never have to study to improve your intellect?...

Conversely if you were really stupid, how far can you improve with study, in order to fool people you were intelligent?

(No personal comments please, it would be just too easy! )

I think you could be born with exceptional IQ yet fail to shine in the wrong household. Likewise, a less ‘gifted’ child could be improved immeasurably in a household that provided more stimulation and challenges.