If chimps can demonstrate morality, why can't republicans?

[hootinholler]

Last edited Thu Apr 12, 2012, 08:26 PM - Edit history (1)

I found this to be well worth the 16 minutes or so. Very thought provoking on many levels.

http://www.ted.com/talks/frans_de_waal_do_animals_have_morals.html

Unfortunately it doesn't embed.

[canoeist52]

1. Wonderful film study of animals' co-operative instincts.

"Empathy, cooperation, fairness and reciprocity -- caring about the well-being of others seems like a very human trait. But Frans de Waal shares some surprising videos of behavioral tests, on primates and other mammals, that show how many of these moral traits all of us share."

And.. it leaves a lasting good feeling after you watch it.

[hootinholler]

2. I guess I should have been more explicit

It does leave a good feeling.

[joshcryer]

3. YouTube Link (embedded):

[hootinholler]

5. Thanks for that!

It's kinda sad this hasn't gotten more attention.

[joshcryer]

6. Yeah it is a shame. I crossposted to Socialist Progressives.

There's a thread there with similar themes.

[hootinholler]

7. Maybe the new title will help? n/t

[joshcryer]

8. Haha, no, not controversial enough.

[joshcryer]

4. Related: Nice Guys Finish First:

And one shouldn't neglect Kroptokin's Mutual Aid: http://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/4341/pg4341.html

[RZM]

9. Chimps are extremely violent animals

They also have very strict male/female hierarchies, which are separate and unequal. The highest ranking female must immediately submit to the lowest ranking male if he demands it. If she doesn't, it's her ass.

They are also fiercely territorial and will ambush and kill any other chimp who strays into their territory.

Chimp groups also have a pretty low threshold of growth. I forget the exact number (it's around 100, I think), but once they grow to that size, the various internal conflicts become unmanageable and members must split off and create new groups.

[joshcryer]

10. Late night kick.

[lpbk2713]

11. Rethuglicans are a lower order of vertebrate.

They simply are not equipped.

[hootinholler]

12. I liked the elephant test

Where the first elephant to arrive screwed its partner into doing all the work and took the reward.