Science vs Common Sense
http://www.itvnews.tv/Sci-Tech/Science/a-chimpanzee-planned-hundreds-of-stone-throwing-attacks-on-zoo-visitors.htmlI get this one a lot - science is either derided as conflicting with common sense, or being just common sense.
This article however does seem to put the point very well for me.
A chimpanzee Santino at Stockholm Zoo has been stockpiling stones in the morning, then later on he gets agitated about all the shaved chimps (zoo visitors) coming round to steal his women, and starts throwing stones at the visitors to drive them off.
The visitors all used common sense - The chimp stores the stones so that he can throw them later on.
THus the chimp must be able to work out how he will feel in the future and plan for it.
The scientists say "we can't trust common sense". Ever. Even when it is obvious. So all those assumptions humans make about chimps, that frankly they are intelligent, need proof. Aha look a chimp that is planning for the future - this is a milestone observation.
SO the visitors for years have known what the scientists can only now prove - Chimps are intelligent enough to plan.
Makes bush meat seem a lot worse. Actually no, common sense has always told me bush meat is a vile practise.
posted by paul @ 11:30 AM
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