Received: by alpheratz.cpm.aca.mmu.ac.uk id AAA08433 (8.6.9/5.3[ref pg@gmsl.co.uk] for cpm.aca.mmu.ac.uk from fmb-majordomo@mmu.ac.uk); Mon, 15 May 2000 00:31:19 +0100 From: "Richard Brodie" <richard@brodietech.com> To: <memetics@mmu.ac.uk> Subject: RE: Abortion views and face time Date: Sun, 14 May 2000 16:29:19 -0700 Message-ID: <NBBBIIDKHCMGAIPMFFPJOEAGENAA.richard@brodietech.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit X-Priority: 3 (Normal) X-MSMail-Priority: Normal X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook IMO, Build 9.0.2416 (9.0.2911.0) In-Reply-To: <391EE00A.E87E0EF1@mediaone.net> X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V5.00.2919.6600 Importance: Normal Sender: fmb-majordomo@mmu.ac.uk Precedence: bulk Reply-To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk
Chuck wrote:
<<My
assumption that beliefs (in morality or anything else) are adaptations to
environments is pretty solid given that beliefs ALWAYS change when the
environment changes. The latter always precedes the former.>>
So the picture on my TV screen is an adaptation to my remote control?
"Adaptation," in evolutionary science, has a very specific meaning. It
refers to a change in genetic makeup that produces a phenotypic effect that
enhances the fitness of the organism. By analogy (which doesn't always work
well in memetics) an memetic adaptation of a mind virus or memeplex would be
a shift in beliefs of adherents that enhances the fitness of the virus...
makes it spread better.
Given your position that people choose beliefs that are best for them, what
would "adaptation" mean? Make them more likely to reproduce? Make them have
more earning potential? Make them happier? How would this work functionally?
Do you really think people consciously choose their beliefs? I have spent
much of my time the last 10 years teaching people how to do this. I do not
believe most people consciously choose their beliefs at all, but tend to
adopt ones they have learned growing up, that fit into their existing belief
system with little dissonance, or that are simply comforting to entertain. I
don't see evidence that these beliefs benefit their holder other than to
relieve immediate cognitive dissonance.
Richard Brodie richard@brodietech.com
http://www.memecentral.com/rbrodie.htm
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