Comments on: Chimps Have Role Models Too http://www.environmentalgraffiti.com/sciencetech/chimps-have-role-models-too/679 for environmentalists who don't take themselves too seriously Mon, 23 Nov 2009 18:42:22 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: PlanetThoughts http://www.environmentalgraffiti.com/sciencetech/chimps-have-role-models-too/679/comment-page-1#comment-12844 PlanetThoughts Thu, 10 Jan 2008 18:31:49 +0000 http://www.environmentalgraffiti.com/sciencetech/chimps-have-role-models-too/#comment-12844 I think the term "culture" for a set of acquired and shared behaviors is appropriate, even if it just means that one group of chimps use oak twigs to dig up termites, while another group in the same forest uses pine twigs. Human "culture" during the Nazi era, as seen in appreciation of opera and the arts, did not seem to equate to good behavior. So let's not assume that culture, by itself, is some indicator of high complexity and high moral value. Without human culture, that is, a culture of and development of values, the remaining aspects of culture have little benefit. That is my observation, anyway. I think the term “culture” for a set of acquired and shared behaviors is appropriate, even if it just means that one group of chimps use oak twigs to dig up termites, while another group in the same forest uses pine twigs.

Human “culture” during the Nazi era, as seen in appreciation of opera and the arts, did not seem to equate to good behavior. So let’s not assume that culture, by itself, is some indicator of high complexity and high moral value. Without human culture, that is, a culture of and development of values, the remaining aspects of culture have little benefit. That is my observation, anyway.

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