Hi Folks,
I have a small window of time here, to try to type this up and share, so ready or not, here it comes! I preface what I am about to share with the words (paraphrased) of St. Thomas Aquinas, who said that revelation comes from both the study of scripture and the study of nature.
So, since we learn more about nature every day, once in awhile we come across something that is particularly moving. Of course, even for scientists, one has to consider the source. For example, there are plenty of scientists who promote the idea of the “selfish gene” and that all any living animal ever does is what benefits the continuation of their own genetics. However, there are also plenty of scientists out there that hold that behaviors involve much, much more than simple carrying on of genes, and this is especially the case when it comes to human behavior. One of these individuals is Frans de Waal, who has a very positive view of human nature, and I share his view. And, of course, the view is based in sound science. I cannot speak for de Waal’s own spiritual perspectives, for all I know he is agnostic or other, I don’t know. For the purpose of this post, it does not matter. What does matter is that what follows is an instance of
observation.
Before I share his observation, I must say that the whole idea of debt, the human perception of debt, is a matter of psychology, and ultimately a matter of anthropology. Why does the human sense a debt? From where does it come?
Now, for the observation:
“One balmy evening at the Arnhem Zoo, when the keeper called the chimps inside, two adolescent females refused to enter the building. The weather was superb. They had the whole island to themselves and they loved it. The rule at the zoo was that none of the apes would get fed until all of them had moved inside. The obstinate teenagers caused a grumpy mood among the rest. When they finally did come in, several hours late, they were assigned a separate bedroom by the keeper so as to prevent reprisals. This protected them only temporarily, though. The next morning, out on the island, the entire colony vented its frustration about the delayed meal by a mass pursuit ending in a physical beating of the culprits. That evening, they were the first to come in.”
Frans de Waal
Okay, yes, I am talking about apes. However, we can use observation of another species, in primatology, to shed light on anthropology. Above is displayed a very rudimentary sense of justice, and sense of debt. Justice was carried out, and such means of mitigation served a purpose, it had a function.
Now, I am very tempted to write a justification for adding this here, and provide pages of my own commentary, but I will let that sit for a moment, and I invite criticism, questions, even wrath! (Please note, though, if you give me wrath I may want to compare/contrast such wrath with that of chimpanzees!
)
A real pointed question might be: “How on Earth does that observation of chimpanzees add to the discussion of legitimacy?”
May God continue to bless your advent season, and bring warmth and love into your day!
