Word: ardrey
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: all
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
This is a case of misinterpretation. In his purer speculations, Ardrey demonstrates a wild imagination, but little more. Take for example what he terms the "Ardrey Theory of Galactic Periodicity," an impossible section that 'explains' weather disruptions...
...Ardrey cites as proof for his mutation theory of evolution the fact that few transitional forms of species have ever been found. His reasoning is fallacious. As Simpson points out, there are always many more adapted animals than transitional animals; probability alone would indicate that transition forms should be scarce millions of years after they became extinct...
...ARDREY, as we have seen, replaces the modern concept that all human behavior is environment-determined, by his territoriality and dominance drives. If, however, we grant that man is derived from a predatory stock of vicious man-apes, and that the one criterion of his culture since has been the ever developing weapon, then we must abandon the view that man is innately good. Instead of seeing civilization as a corrupting force, it must be, if anything, a force that keeps man's savage predatory nature in check...
Then will man, the most sophisticated predator the world has ever known, yield to his instincts and gain the dubious distinction of being the first species in history to exterminate itself? Ardrey is not sure. He observes that among social animals survival of the species is a stronger instinct than survival of the individual. But he also notes that in human wars, this tendency manifests itself in intense patriotism and correspondingly intense hatred of one's enemies, generally buttressed by the conviction that God is on our side. As he wryly comments, "God is never so fashionable as during wartime...
These are gloomy conclusions, and at present their foundations have not been anchored in fact. But even should it eventually be proven that Australopithecine was a killer, Ardrey's conclusions do not necessarily follow...