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."