hi Erin,
>(erin:) My guess is if you isolate an ant until its adulthood and then
>stick him in with his colony I bet you he will know how to all those
>amazing things you described.
>Why? because it is instinctual, thus biological
Elliot: Really? that is a really good test you've devised, im impressed.
However, ant co-operation is based on percieved genetic relationship (a
social pattern) i expect. Isolate an ant from its colony, raise it to
maturity and then drop it in with its mates, you think it would just start
moving dirt along side its brothers? Maybe, i dont think so, but its
possible, and my ability to imagine it doesnt show its truth or untruth. I
imagine it would either wander away or either attack or be attacked,
probably just wander though. Maybe some day i'll get an ant farm and try
it. Where does one aquire ant larve?
Regardless of the more minor truth of the ants position in evolution, you've
come up with a pretty good test to distinguish social from biological.
thanks
>Did Suzy appear to know how to count? yes (to me)
>Did she genuinely know how to count? no(to me)
Point taken, but some kids can really count.
Elliot
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