Quote:Yes, but if the others disagree with each other, then how do you form your opinions?I don't see others disagreeing. Jester specifically asked for links, but didn't get any.
Quote:When the experts disagree, you have two choices. Wait for a consensus before forming an opinion or going to the source itself.What good would going to the source do, if you are not an expert yourself? Being a layman, is there really any hope of finding something there, that the experts missed? I don't think there is such a choice. But as I said, we don't see disagreement among experts.
Quote:Actually, when a chimp is presented with a problem and a number of ways of solving it, he will stay with the first way that works. If he's then integrated with a group that does not know how to solve that problem, he will teach them his way, and the group will, almost invariably, use his technique.No, animals can learn, but they don't teach. Other chimps will try to replicate the first chimp's efforts after they see it is rewarding, but the first chimp will never try to help them with getting the technique right. For example, when other chimps happen to pick a stick that is too thick to fit a hole in a termite hill, they will have to find that out for themselves. Humans would indicate a smaller stick is needed, as soon as they detect the mistake. And not only lack animals the willingness to teach, they also lack the willingness to accept knowledge from others. Even if you'd try to point out that a smaller stick is needed, the chimps would still go on with whatever they had in their hands (and likely attack you for trying to replace their stick with a more useful tool).
Edit: Regarding the teaching/learning of animals...
There is a test that nicely illustrates my point. Take a non-transparant box with a small drawer near the bottom, and put a sweet in the drawer. Then present the box to a group of chimpansees, together with a small stick, and perform the following demonstration. Tap the top of the box with the stick, then the right side, then the left side. Put the stick down, open the drawer and take out the sweet. When given the stick and (refilled) box, most chimps will duplicate the ritual without effort. If this test is carried out with children (5 to 7 year olds, for example), the result will be very similar. They too will learn quickly to duplicate the ritual. However, things change when the box is made of a transparant material. Now the chimps will not be fooled and open the drawer right away, without using the stick. But the children will continue to tap the box as demonstrated, even when they can clearly see there is no need for it. They will value the knowledge of their teacher higher as their own opinion, and assume there is a reason for it all. And that's what sets us apart. Individually, we are not as 'smart' as animals, and we make up for it by relying on our 'cumulative' knowledge.