Delshad,
quote:
However, all these traits seem to vanquish compared to the similarity between our genes, 2-5 %(why is that so, are there other factors that I dont know of?).
Yup, pretty much ALL the differences are accounted for in the small genetic difference between humans & chimps. I recently had to labour this very point to someone on another board, genetic differences are not necessarily linked in a linear fashion to behaviour & morphology. In fact, very small changes at the nucleotide level can cause enormous morphological change.
Even changes that increase intelligence can cause effect in a non-linear way. For example if you multiplied a severely impaired Downs syndrome childs IQ by 4 you would have a very, very talented individual. Going from someone that has trouble dressing to someone who has the capacity to be a brilliant scientist. That is to say, their intellectual capability has gone up by more than fourfold. I appreciate that IQ isn't the only measure of intelligence, but you get the picture. Small changes can = larger effects.
I've seen quotes of Gorillas with IQs of 70-ish (clever even for them), so for the sake of argument, let's call a chimps IQ 20, it only has to go up fivefold to be considered average human.
Now, of course, we are assisted with speech, & maybe other advantages that our brains give us over chimps, but it's not necessarily that much that separates us, & a chimp-on-the-edge-of-culture.
The intellectual aspect that ISN'T inherited, & therefore NOT due to the genetic difference is learned behaviour, ie passed on knowledge. We are not the only animals that have learned behaviour, either. Songbirds get most of their repertoires from other birds, with individuals raised in captivity having a much simplified range. Mammalian predators like dogs, wolves, lions etc learn their trade in the same way.
Mark
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Occam's razor is not for shaving with.
[This message has been edited by mark24, 10-15-2002]
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