Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site peora.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!cbosgd!ihnp4!drutx!mtuxo!mtunh!mtung!mtunf!ariel!vax135!petsd!peora!jer
From: jer@peora.UUCP (J. Eric Roskos)
Newsgroups: net.singles,net.social
Subject: Re: Intelligence
Message-ID: <1150@peora.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 25-Jun-85 09:37:59 EDT
Article-I.D.: peora.1150
Posted: Tue Jun 25 09:37:59 1985
Date-Received: Wed, 26-Jun-85 07:16:50 EDT
References:  <443@unc.UUCP>  <1591@dciem.UUCP>
Organization: Perkin-Elmer SDC, Orlando, Fl.
Lines: 33
Xref: watmath net.singles:7525 net.social:738

> It's silly to claim that a particular behaviour has no genetic component ...

Actually the basic problem here is that this question is a broad philosophical
issue that has been around for centuries in various forms.  In one of its
older forms, there was the Lockean notion that the human mind starts out a
"tabula rasa," or blank slate, vs. the notion that we inherit elements of
knowledge (in some ill-defined sense) from our ancestors.

And, fundamental to the problem, too, is that it has become a sociopolitical
one.  As such, it is essentially unresolvable, like most of the other issues
of that sort; because there is a widespread feeling about what "should" be
the answer to the question, and much effort to proceed based on that idea.

Unfortunately, it is probably possible to argue, strongly but
hypothetically, for a particular side.  Equally unfortunately, whichever
side you argued for [notice I am not taking sides here in this broader
question] would be vehemently opposed by a number of people, who would feel
that you were supporting some dangerous, heretical viewpoint.

And, too, part of the problem is that the "truth" probably lies somewhere
in the middle.

Thus this is likely to become one of those arguments that goes on and on,
generating little new information.  Having been the person who originally
complained about the comment on "amateur sociobiologists," I just wanted to
point that out.  I don't think further discussion is likely to get anywhere.
-- 
Shyy-Anzr:  J. Eric Roskos
UUCP:       ..!{decvax,ucbvax,ihnp4}!vax135!petsd!peora!jer
US Mail:    MS 795; Perkin-Elmer SDC;
	    2486 Sand Lake Road, Orlando, FL 32809-7642

	    "Erny vfgf qba'g hfr Xbqnpuebzr."