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To: TimF who wrote (5935)	3/12/2003 7:05:46 PM
From: Lazarus_Long	Respond to of 7689

I think you and I are in agreement about this. What you are saying is what I had in mind. There are parts of being human that have changed and parts that have not. Beneath that cerebral cortex Solon wishes to believe rules all is that reptilian brain. It isn't really stupid, but it changes slowly because in fact it has come up with and incorporated many successful mechanisms for keeping the individual and the species alive. And it can and does short-circuit that cerebral cortex on occasion.

To: TimF who wrote (5935)	3/12/2003 8:35:47 PM
From: Solon	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 7689

"The changes are minor except those brought about by changes in culture and our external circumstances" Do you not consider that culture reflects on human nature? Do groups not create culture which reflects the nature of their beings? And having said that...do you truly see little difference between what we term "primitive" culture and nature, and what we term "civilized" nature and culture? Would you be unable to perceive the difference between a primitive man attuned to instincts...with a concommitant inability to mediate or override biological drives, and a civilized man...who assesses reality and the environment from a perspective of reason? The reason I asked you for your explanation in the first place was that it is commonplace for many to "complain" that human nature has not changed over the millennia. Often they are referring to their belief that humans have a "wicked" and "sinful" nature, and that nothing too significant may ever be expected of them without the grace of whichever God they happen to tie their wagon to. To tell you the truth, I have never heard it biologically or philosophically asserted that human nature has not changed--at least, not that I remember. It was thus a curiosity to me when you made such an unusual statement. Did you pick it up in a theology course? I would certainly appreciate reading about such a theory. In a previous post I mentioned how phyla have changed to reflect adaptive changes of nature. Would you agree that the nature of many creatures has changed in a very overt fashion in the last 5000 years?