This is probably the most entertaining and enlightening lecture I have heard since Wednesday’s class. But really, I absolutely loved watching this video and listening to his ideas. There are many things in this video that I feel are very relevant to our recent discussions in class, especially the discussion on human virtue. Many of Frans de Waal’s ideas are theologically controversial. If I understood his argument right, he believed that virtues such as compassion and empathy have been evolutionarily passed down through animals, or at least shared between different species of animals (mainly chimps and elephants). I find it hard to deny the fact that animals certainly do practice empathy, if not emotionally at least cognitively. I believe, however, that the church would have two main concerns with his ideas. The first of the concerns would be the more obvious, which is the idea of evolution. Secondly would be the emotional capacity of animals. In my experience in catholic schools it has always been taught to me that evolution is a scientific theory that is not supported by the church. Although this video most certainly does not prove evolution, it does make me wonder what will happen if evolution is ever proved. Although small, this is another piece of evidence in support of the theory of evolution. In my opinion, it is a groundbreaking claim. This is the first study I have seen that does not make humans seem more animalistic, but makes animals appear more human. Perhaps this is a bridge that one day the Catholic Church could accept. The church would, I feel, be more accepting of this concept of evolution than the more physical aspects (i.e., walking on two legs, similar bone structure, ect.) The feelings of compassion and empathy have, for a very long time, been thought of something that “makes us human.” These characteristics have given us something animals could never have, some might even say this what it means to be made, “in God’s image.” If more studies support that other life forms have these characteristics, then the church might have to reconsider (just as they reconsidered the earth was the center of the solar system). A compromising theory between evolution and creationism could possibly be adopted in light of studies like this; however, that could just be wishful thinking.
This is probably the most entertaining and enlightening lecture I have heard since Wednesday’s class. But really, I absolutely loved watching this video and listening to his ideas. There are many things in this video that I feel are very relevant to our recent discussions in class, especially the discussion on human virtue.
ReplyDeleteMany of Frans de Waal’s ideas are theologically controversial. If I understood his argument right, he believed that virtues such as compassion and empathy have been evolutionarily passed down through animals, or at least shared between different species of animals (mainly chimps and elephants). I find it hard to deny the fact that animals certainly do practice empathy, if not emotionally at least cognitively. I believe, however, that the church would have two main concerns with his ideas. The first of the concerns would be the more obvious, which is the idea of evolution. Secondly would be the emotional capacity of animals.
In my experience in catholic schools it has always been taught to me that evolution is a scientific theory that is not supported by the church. Although this video most certainly does not prove evolution, it does make me wonder what will happen if evolution is ever proved. Although small, this is another piece of evidence in support of the theory of evolution. In my opinion, it is a groundbreaking claim. This is the first study I have seen that does not make humans seem more animalistic, but makes animals appear more human. Perhaps this is a bridge that one day the Catholic Church could accept.
The church would, I feel, be more accepting of this concept of evolution than the more physical aspects (i.e., walking on two legs, similar bone structure, ect.) The feelings of compassion and empathy have, for a very long time, been thought of something that “makes us human.” These characteristics have given us something animals could never have, some might even say this what it means to be made, “in God’s image.” If more studies support that other life forms have these characteristics, then the church might have to reconsider (just as they reconsidered the earth was the center of the solar system). A compromising theory between evolution and creationism could possibly be adopted in light of studies like this; however, that could just be wishful thinking.