Received: by alpheratz.cpm.aca.mmu.ac.uk id QAA09310 (8.6.9/5.3[ref pg@gmsl.co.uk] for cpm.aca.mmu.ac.uk from fmb-majordomo@mmu.ac.uk); Tue, 14 Nov 2000 16:14:18 GMT Message-ID: <2D1C159B783DD211808A006008062D3101745B0A@inchna.stir.ac.uk> From: Vincent Campbell <v.p.campbell@stir.ac.uk> To: "'memetics@mmu.ac.uk'" <memetics@mmu.ac.uk> Subject: RE: Tests show a human side to chimps Date: Tue, 14 Nov 2000 16:12:06 -0000 X-Mailer: Internet Mail Service (5.5.2650.21) Content-Type: text/plain Sender: fmb-majordomo@mmu.ac.uk Precedence: bulk Reply-To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk
<<Wade:
> >
> > If imitative behavioral characteristics would appear to be within and
> > constrained by a biologic and developmental organism (a bird, i.e.), and
>
> > culture would appear to be a niche of the adapted environment, then
> where
> > (and why...) does one bring in memetics?>>
>
Robin:
<To explain behaviour that is inexplicable using only genetics>
> That was kind of the question I asked a little while ago. If cultural
> behaviours are all niche construction, and that is determined by and
> determining of the genes, then where is the space for memes?
>
I suppose we come around, yet again, to that question of what factor(s) in
cultural behaviour is inexplicable using only genetics?
One factor, I suppose, is tranmission. Culture isn't only passed from
parent to child, and can go sideways, and backwards in the genetic hierarchy
(e.g. the amusing recent conversation I had with my mum, trying to explain
that if she wanted to send me an e-mail my computer didn't have to be on!).
But is that enough to unleash culture from the genes?
Vincent
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