Chimps and Bonobos

[Mr.Badham]

I have to admit, I'm more than just a little disappointed with my cousins. If we're so closely related, why aren't they doing better? They don't seem very smart at all. Sure they can use a blade of grass to stick in an ant hole, but I just cracked a can of beer.

Question for debate; What's the real difference between us and Chimps and Bonobos?

[Mr.Badham]

[Replying to SailingCyclops]

I'm comparing them to animals with smaller brains than them. Animals that are actually doing better as a species, like say dogs or cats. What really got me was a show called "Wild India", and in it there was a monkey that the narrator called "The most successful primate after humans." And I thought, "It should be chimps."

[Davidjayjordan]

I have to admit, I'm more than just a little disappointed with my cousins. If we're so closely related, why aren't they doing better? They don't seem very smart at all. Sure they can use a blade of grass to stick in an ant hole, but I just cracked a can of beer.

Question for debate; What's the real difference between us and Chimps and Bonobos?

They're animals and we are not. They did not progress from us. Simple answer in my opinion.

And dont watch those bondo's too much as their frequent unions will give you ideas, and make you start thinking about mating as well...

But then again, that is a way they reslove problems....... HUh .... I.think I can come up with a few problems, that a few females might help me solve... OH HAPPY DAYS, OH HAPPY DAYS, when Jesus walked... OH HAPPY DAYS in Heaven and the HEREAFTER. Problems solved the good old fashioned Bondo way.

[enviousintheeverafter]

[Replying to post 1 by Mr.Badham]

Why is this thread posted in the philosophy sub-section? This has absolutely nothing to do with philosophy. The difference between us and chimps or bonobos is a simple empirical question- at best it would belong in the science and religion section.

[H.sapiens]

[Replying to post 6 by SailingCyclops]

Vegetable jokes aside.

So now you have a contradiction.

Man is an animal.
Animals are in harmony with the environment.
Man is not in harmony with the environment.

Therefore Man is not an animal.

What ever gave you the idea that Animals are in harmony with the environment? Must have been your misunderstanding of evolution.

[ttruscott]

...

Not too smart? Compared to what?
The primates you mention do not destroy their environment, do not kill for fun or sport, they do not abuse, murder or torture each other (or members of other species for that matter). They do not commit genocide, make wars, pillage, or exterminate other species.

...

Umm he did mention chimps in the title and they do hunt members of their in-group for cannibalistic reasons which seems to be a fun or sport based activity since they are not starving or anything. They also make war on chimp troops / clans/ tribes from neighbouring areas:

http://content.time.com/time/health/art ... 85,00.html

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/ ... laims.html

Just google "wild chimps wage war"

[H.sapiens]

...

Not too smart? Compared to what?
The primates you mention do not destroy their environment, do not kill for fun or sport, they do not abuse, murder or torture each other (or members of other species for that matter). They do not commit genocide, make wars, pillage, or exterminate other species.

...

Umm he did mention chimps in the title and they do hunt members of their in-group for cannibalistic reasons which seems to be a fun or sport based activity since they are not starving or anything. They also make war on chimp troops / clans/ tribes from neighbouring areas:

http://content.time.com/time/health/art ... 85,00.html

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/ ... laims.html

Just google "wild chimps wage war"

This is true, they are remarkably like humans in many ways.

[Wootah]

[Replying to post 6 by SailingCyclops]

Vegetable jokes aside.

So now you have a contradiction.

Man is an animal.
Animals are in harmony with the environment.
Man is not in harmony with the environment.

Therefore Man is not an animal.

What ever gave you the idea that Animals are in harmony with the environment? Must have been your misunderstanding of evolution.

Post 2. I think I made a good summary of it.

[Bust Nak]

[Replying to post 17 by Wootah]
The post in question specified specific animals as living in harmony with their environment, the generalisation to include all animals, as stated in your second premise, is unwarranted.

[Wootah]

[Replying to post 17 by Wootah]
The post in question specified specific animals as living in harmony with their environment, the generalisation to include all animals, as stated in your second premise, is unwarranted.

Shouldn't we be skeptical of what 'harmony with the environment' could possibly mean? I suspect a human mortality rate < 30 and living hand to mouth and not understanding anything is far more in harmony with nature than we care to admit.

[Bust Nak]

[Replying to post 19 by Wootah]
Much like living as chimps and bonobos would? Sure, but there are technological alternatives that doesn't mean we give up on luxury in life. Green energy, recycling, electric cars and such.