The Difference of Man and the Difference it Makes (Humans)

by xeno6696 , Sonoran Desert, Friday, June 26, 2009, 01:26 (5421 days ago)

As prompted by Dr. Turell I just finished one of my 3 summer classes (about 2 hours ago) and have promptly picked this book up (before I put it off for too long and never read it) and I have to say that to my eyes even by the 17th page I find it provocative. - This is partially that waaaaaaaaaay back when I took a psychology class, the general consensus about humans was that we had no instincts. (Except for the "mother's instinct.") I find this idea categorically repulsive, and incorrect. First and foremost, if our children are born as 'blank slates,' then how do they know to learn? How do they know to grab on to you when they're picked up? There is no way to learn this behavior, therefore it must be instinctual. In both of these instances, they don't know--they just *do.* A scrubs joke: "Having a baby is like owning a dog that slowly learns to talk." - I intend on reading this book as thoroughly as possible--guaranteed because I have the inconvenience of walking into the book knowing its thesis beforehand and am quite ready to defend my own views. But in no instance can anyone pick up a book without some kind of prejudice. The act of selecting a book is prejudice in and of itself. - I'll give periodic appraisals as I write my notes.