Received: by alpheratz.cpm.aca.mmu.ac.uk id PAA05933 (8.6.9/5.3[ref pg@gmsl.co.uk] for cpm.aca.mmu.ac.uk from fmb-majordomo@mmu.ac.uk); Tue, 14 Aug 2001 15:39:50 +0100 Message-ID: <2D1C159B783DD211808A006008062D3101745FFC@inchna.stir.ac.uk> From: Vincent Campbell <v.p.campbell@stir.ac.uk> To: "'memetics@mmu.ac.uk'" <memetics@mmu.ac.uk> Subject: RE: Teleology etc. Date: Tue, 14 Aug 2001 15:22:04 +0100 X-Mailer: Internet Mail Service (5.5.2650.21) Content-Type: text/plain X-Filter-Info: UoS MailScan 0.1 [D 1] Sender: fmb-majordomo@mmu.ac.uk Precedence: bulk Reply-To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk
<There was indeed an experiment involving island monkeys and their
ability to
> learn to wash sand off potatoes before eating them. The speed of learning
> proceeded at a slow pace at first, and then overnight all the monkeys
> seemed
> to have learned the method. Unfortunately, this experiment was not
> properly
> controlled, so Sheldrake refuses to invoke it in support of his theory.
> He
> prefers experiments, such as the water maze experiments with rats, that
> have
> never been disputed.>
>
Sorry to labour the point, but i t wasn't controlled, because it
wasn't an experiment, and the myth that's spread is wrong in every detail.
Not all the monkey's learnt how to wash the potatoes- in the same way that
not all humans learn to ride a bicycle or do algebra (differential ability
of individuals). Moreover the suggestion that once this troop had all
learned the new trick lots of other troops vast distances away could
suddenly do it also, is a complete falsity.
Vincent
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