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Author Topic:   Can animals be caring and compassionate
Taq
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Posts: 10077
Joined: 03-06-2009
Member Rating: 5.1


Message 4 of 22 (581309)
09-14-2010 11:49 PM


Koko love kitten
Koko, the sign language using gorilla, took on a kitten as a pet.
quote:
Back in 1984, Koko, an accomplished gorilla who understands and uses American Sign Language, asked her trainer, Dr. Francine Patterson, for a cat. So when some abanded kittens were brought to the Woodside, California, compound where Koko lives, she was awarded the pick of the litter. After examining the kittens carefully, Koko chose a tailless gray male that she named All Ball.
Koko proved a wonderful pet owner and mother. She was very gentle with the kitten and treated him much like a baby gorilla, carrying him on her back and trying to nurse him. When she was in a playful mood, she would dress All Ball up in napkins or sign to him suggesting that they tickle each other, her favorite game.
Unfortunately, their relationship ended abrubtly in December of 1984, when All Ball escaped from the gorilla cage and was killed by a car. Koko was extrememly distraught over the death of All Ball and spoke of it soon after:
When asked, "Do you want to talk about your kitty?"
Koko signed, "Cry."
"What happened to your kitty?"
Koko answered, "Sleep cat."
When she saw a picture of a cat who looked very much like All Ball, Koko pointed to the picture and signed, "Cry, sad, frown."
http://ask.yahoo.com/20000905.html

  
Taq
Member
Posts: 10077
Joined: 03-06-2009
Member Rating: 5.1


Message 20 of 22 (581463)
09-15-2010 6:12 PM
Reply to: Message 12 by GDR
09-15-2010 11:42 AM


Re: Intelligence and caring instincts
That makes no sense. In order for someone to have reproductive success it is necessary for them to survive in the first place. Obviously if someone altruistically gives up their life then their future reproductive success is zero.
You also have to look at human society. From the evidence we do have it appears that humans evolved as social animals, groups that worked together to hunt and gather food. We also need to raise our children to adulthood which can take quite a few years.
So what if we have a situation where both of us could die, or I can act in a certain way where I die but you live. Being that you are part of my tribe you are contributing food and shelter to my children. By saving you, even if it requires my death, I am increasing the likelyhood that my genes will make it into the next generation. If both of us die then my chances decrease.
I don't see any evolutionary advantage in what the crow, or the gorilla for that matter, have for displaying what appear to be similar emotional behaviour as humans.
The minor disadvantages that these instincts and behaviors cause is swamped by the advantages that they offer. Yes, our instinctual nurturing behavior may cause us to do some things that are maladaptive, but this ignores the huge advantages that these evolved instincts do afford.
As an analogy, you are arguing that our brains are maladaptive because they use up more of our total energy stores compared to other species. What you would be ignoring are the great advantages that our big, hungry brains do afford us.

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 Message 12 by GDR, posted 09-15-2010 11:42 AM GDR has not replied

  
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