The Nature of Paleolithic Art: part 2

In part two of ‘The Nature of Paleolithic Art’ Guthrie discusses several interesting topics. His discussion on the Human Scale of Density: Nepotism and Reciprocity particularly interested me as it revealed how much of our present social behavior is deeply rooted in our past or is derived from our past.

When animals live or move in packs they remember or keep tally of favors done for them. In other words, help is received only when it is also given out. Guthrie gives several examples of such reciprocity and sociality viewed widely amongst chimpanzees, elephants, wolves, hyenas etc (animals which prefer to live in small gatherings). By helping other family members to whom one is genetically related increases one’s own genetic fitness. As Guthrie puts it, “sharing creates obligations that can be, and usually are, called on later” (pg 414). Amongst chimpanzees, a very common way to repay a debt or a favor is by grooming or by allowing sexual access, which increases reproductive fitness. Another form of altruistic behavior observed amongst chimpanzees that we discussed in my Biological Anthropology class is giving out alarm calls when a predator is close by. Although this puts at risk the life of the particular chimp giving out the alarm call, it allows the rest of its clan to escape. Included amongst this clan may be its own offspring, which are then taken care of by the other female chimpanzees in the group if the chimp performing such an altruistic act is attacked.

Such behavior is also observed amongst human beings, especially between family members much like that displayed by the chimpanzees. Guthrie says, “As uncomfortable as it was for many people in the late 1970s to confront the idea of sociobiology, it is clear that aspects of social behavior are shaped by evolutionary patterns” (pg 414). I agree with his point because this idea, that human behavioral pattern may resemble to that of certain animals, can be disturbing to some because according to Genesis mankind was created as superior to all other beings.Is it or is it not derogatory that there are similarities between human and animal behavior can be a debatable topic.Nonetheless, it does not make it false that animals to a certain extent behave much as humans do.

Alavi Karim
Tue 03/27/07

We started our first class with a discussion on defining ‘religion’. Students expressed different views, as every individual perceives the concept of religion differently. Few said that it is something uncontrollable that is required to explain things which logic alone cannot do whereas others argued that it provides us with comfort/security, a sense of social unity, spirituality and helps to maintain order in ones life. In my opinion, it would be rather difficult to define religion with a set of rules because I personally think that it varies greatly from one individual to another. Every religion in the world, be it Islam, Christianity, Hinduism etc may all have certain similarities but they also have some obvious differences that separate them from each other. All the words from our discussion that were put up on the board about religion may be applicable to some religions but not to others. So then how can we have only one general definition? Yes, we can certainly define religon but I believe there has to be a separate one for each as opposed to just one for all.

Christians believe that Jesus is the son of God whereas Muslims believe that he was one of the Prophets that God sent to deliver His message. If there are such great differences in what two individuals from different religions believe then I find it rather difficult for one definition to be applicable to all. It does not even have to be individuals from two separate religions but even within the same, we still find differences. Some may manipulate the rules in their respective Holy Book (Quran, Bible etc) to suite their needs because they may not be as strong believers like others. Therefore, his or her definition of religion will obviously differ from someone who ‘goes by the book’. We also discussed how culture and upbringing influences the strength of ones belief. Having fellow believers of the same religion around you will strengthen your belief whereas being a minority, say in a particular neighborhood, may or may not have adverse effects.