Max
01-15-2004, 09:37 AM
Monkey morality
Sharing might not be as nice as it's cracked up to be.
14 January 2004
MICHAEL HOPKIN
Begging, stealing and fighting for food could encourage 'sharing'.
© alamy.com
Have you ever given a friend part of your dessert just so they will stop bugging you for some? You're not alone - chimpanzees and monkeys share their food with others to avoid hassle too.
The question of why animals give food to others is a tricky one. Previous theories suggested that generous animals might benefit from similar kindness at a later time.......
http://www.nature.com/nsu/040112/040112-4.html
"This form of 'strategic begging' could help scroungers find success by setting their sights low, Stevens speculates. "It's like a kid saying: 'Can I have four cookies? Ok, how about one?'," he says. Likewise, most street-corner beggars ask passers-by for nothing more than their small change.
The harassment theory may explain many examples of human 'generosity', says Stevens. But he remains convinced that we are capable of genuine charity too. "It's a pretty decent analogy," he says, "but I think there's also a desire for us to help those who are less fortunate."
Sharing might not be as nice as it's cracked up to be.
14 January 2004
MICHAEL HOPKIN
Begging, stealing and fighting for food could encourage 'sharing'.
© alamy.com
Have you ever given a friend part of your dessert just so they will stop bugging you for some? You're not alone - chimpanzees and monkeys share their food with others to avoid hassle too.
The question of why animals give food to others is a tricky one. Previous theories suggested that generous animals might benefit from similar kindness at a later time.......
http://www.nature.com/nsu/040112/040112-4.html
"This form of 'strategic begging' could help scroungers find success by setting their sights low, Stevens speculates. "It's like a kid saying: 'Can I have four cookies? Ok, how about one?'," he says. Likewise, most street-corner beggars ask passers-by for nothing more than their small change.
The harassment theory may explain many examples of human 'generosity', says Stevens. But he remains convinced that we are capable of genuine charity too. "It's a pretty decent analogy," he says, "but I think there's also a desire for us to help those who are less fortunate."