I understand the biology behind our differences, DNA and what not, the physical part, but why is it so important that we are so different in thought and feelings. I’m not talking growth because growing is part of survival. If you think about it, there is no constant feeling or thought process within the human race. Basically we have COMPLETE opposites, nothing that the race has in common through all of us. (Or am I missing something? Psychology, not Physiology)
We could still function and have about the same world if there was a guide line, a set of feelings, believes, understanding… that we ALL shared. So why did “the brain” want, or better yet allow, to have such difference, whats the use if it would have worked either way.
Well, I’d argue that it’s all in the genetics and memetics of the individual. However, Confucius has this to say, “Men are alike at birth, they diverge through repeated practice”, if you’d rather have a move developmental model.
Basically this argument could become a rehash of nature/nurture debate, but I think the lines are pretty clearly drawn there. You want to discuss the nurture model, then, based on your question?
we have different thoughts because of the principle of individuation (principium individuationis). we are not interchangeable with others. thus, as individuals are thoughts are individual.
i’m not sure about this having different emotions assertion. i’m under the impression that we all have the same emotions, its just that they are elicited at different times, in different ways, and with different intensities. part of this is biological, part of this…as Xunzian pointed out…is learned. some of it acts under the layer of consciousness.
HellWizard wrote:
only constant change? i agree with the nurture aspect thrown in by Xunzian, there is no reason for my daily thought process to be identical to a little boy living off the west coast of Africa (i am a women in nyc). we’ve got different contexts, daily needs, daily chores, and grew up differently. at the same time, however, i think that there is consistency of thought process. its logic and reasoning.
do you believe in evolution?
i think the point is that it couldn’t of worked another way. biodiversity is necessary. Humans are highly adaptable, perhaps the differences that the brain allows for is to our advantage. it helps us survive throughout a whole range of contexts, environments, and needs.
thanks
I have often spent much time asking myself this very question. Why exactly are we all different? We are all born through the same biological process.
Perhaps the answer to our question can be found by searching for the point in history in which “different-ness” was introduced to humankind. Being a Creation, I personally have a well-laid out answer.
You evolutionists have to do the hard work, if you catch my drift…
But, to be fair, I shall “pretend” to think like an evolutionist:
So, why does diversity exist in human-beings? Why are we all different, yet so alike in a great number of ways? Is it really necessary to humanity’s continued-existence that we be different and unique?
I suppose that one could say that certain differing-characteristics (among people) are the result of long-term climate or enviroment conditions. For example, one might argue that African’s developed dark skin (which has a far greater resistence to being burned by the sun) due to the high-heat climate that is found in Africa.
I think my question, if anything, goes against evolution because if we did evolve then why don’t we have a constant line of thought. I feel that ALL animals have, maybe a “moral right”, but at least a common sense of right and wrong when it comes to living life. They have simple understandings on behaviors towards eachother and the rest of the animal kingdom. It maybe small, unconscious, but still its present.
I don’t see any behavior/feelings/thoughts that ALL humans have. If we evolved, then at one point this simple “moral right” was ours, and if simple is easier then complex, then why would evolution pick complex. Complex being all our differences in thoughts and not having common sense, or a guide line. Would life be so much different if we weren’t all different in thought, or we didn’t have complete opposites? The question isn’t the idea of differences, but more towards the great degree of difference we have.
