Racial differences...

[Paltmull]

The question was From a darwinistic evolutionary perspective, what reasons would there be for certain so-called "races" to become more intelligent than others? The answer is that we have a random element, and thus it is perfectly possible. The differences between different groups of humans developed long ago, at a time when life was much different. The civilisations are not that old.

I think that intelligence matters in contemporary evolution as well, it might decrease the chances of individuals doing outright stupid things which could lead to death at young age. It's not random which youth that dies in traffic accidents due to taking unnecessary risks, and this could have to do with genetics.

Whoops, I'd forgotten that i had posted here. Started quite a discussion...

Anyway, I had about the same argument as that of Moros in mind. Even though there is a random element; doesn't evolution still tend to be very 'deterministic'? The advantage that higher intelligence (however we define that) gives will need to be very significant in order for it to become an evolutionary factor. If not, it will simply stay on an individual level. And, as I said earlier, since different enviroments probably didn't require different "levels" of intelligence, all "races" are most likely similar in this area.

[A Nerd]

I beleive the body evolves, the mind learns. The idea of race is body types and appearances changing over the years and the minds ability to interpret it. Seemingly, in a sense of superiority over another more times than not.

[Viking]

Whoops, I'd forgotten that i had posted here. Started quite a discussion...

Anyway, I had about the same argument as that of Moros in mind. Even though there is a random element; doesn't evolution still tend to be very 'deterministic'? The advantage that higher intelligence (however we define that) gives will need to be very significant in order for it to become an evolutionary factor. If not, it will simply stay on an individual level. And, as I said earlier, since different enviroments probably didn't require different "levels" of intelligence, all "races" are most likely similar in this area.

I don't know. Different enviroments are different, and so you get possibilities - they don't have to be big.

It is that poor mutated hairless chimp in the last picture.

A mutation that several hundred thousand years ago became dominant in humans.

I don't know about that, the average human is hairier.

[Beskar]

I don't know about that, the average human is hairier.

That chimp makes me look as hairy as a sheep.

[Louis VI the Fat]

That chimp makes me look as hairy as a sheep.

I think we must appear terribly bizarre and ugly to other apes. Bunch of freaks, we are.

I don't know about that, the average human is hairier.

You mean, mostly hairless body, but with facial hair? Sure:








(Don't feel inferior. Chimp females have certain 'preferences' that have had a profound effect on male chimp anatomy)

[Lemur]

I think we must appear terribly bizarre and ugly to other apes. Bunch of freaks, we are.

Nonsense. We are the midpoint between God and animals, lower than the seraphim but higher than the badger. It's all about the Great Chain of Being.

[Louis VI the Fat]

Nonsense. We are the midpoint between God and animals, lower than the seraphim but higher than the badger. It's all about the Great Chain of Being.

I have this hierarchy in my mind. A pidgeon over a cockroach. A cat over a bird. An ape over a cat.

I do stop there. There is more glory in being a rising ape than a fallen angel.

[Philippus Flavius Homovallumus]

I have this hierarchy in my mind. A pidgeon over a cockroach. A cat over a bird. An ape over a cat.

I do stop there. There is more glory in being a rising ape than a fallen angel.

On the other hand, only Angels know when they are fallen. Self-awareness is an extraordinary gift.