how do you think studying primate behavior can contribute to our understanding o
ID: 112507 • Letter: H
Question
how do you think studying primate behavior can contribute to our understanding of what it means to be human? Do you think that we are more similar to any specific group of primates? Many scientists have argued that behaviorally we are most similar to chimpanzees, with their aggressive interactions and dominance hierarchies, while others have posited that we are more similar to bonobos who have a more peaceful way of resolving conflicts. What do you think? And again, what do you think the value is in even asking such a a question?
Explanation / Answer
Anthropologists study living primates because by learning about species similar to us, we can learn about ourselves. Studying the behavior, anatomy, social structure, and genetic code of primates can reveal key differences and similarities between other primates and humans. From this, we can learn what it means to be human as opposed to being a primate and further as opposed to other mammals or animals in general
We have much in common with other primates such as functionally similar neurological processes, the necessity of close bonding, and the development stages of offspring however, we have many key differences such as the ability to use a complex, symbolic language, larger brain size leading to greater intelligence, and the capability for a much greater degree of empathy. The similarities reveal what characteristics we share with other species, but perhaps more importantly, the differences define what makes us distinctly human.
From examining primates of many different species, we can determine how closely other species are related to each other as well as to us. By determining these relationships, we are able to gain a sense of our own evolutionary history, learning about shared common ancestors and how humans as a species developed and evolved over time. We can see what traits are shared between all of the primates, what traits some primates have lost, and new traits which primates developed in order to survive in different environments. Additionally we can begin to understand which traits were favorable, allowing some primates to thrive while others struggled to survive.
With a greater understanding of primates, we gain a greater understanding of what it means to be human. We can begin to learn why or how some of our characteristics evolved, for instance why we use bipedalism or how our brain size increased by observing a gradually increasing brain cavity in our ancestors and closely related species.
In conclusion, the work that anthropologists do to study primates is crucial to understanding our past, how we’ve evolved, and who we’ve become. Through their work we are able to see what forces, environmental and biological, have shaped us, what was important to us, and how we evolved into the highly unique animal we’ve become today.
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