The Importance of Kuhns Scientific Revolution Theory - Term Paper Example

Chimps and Hunting Tools 538136) Introduction This discovery was considered to be one of the major scientific breakthroughs in 2007. Chimpanzees were carefully observed for the predatory instincts since it is normally considered that chimpanzees are very docile creatures. Source: Chimpanzee, www.new.nationalgeographic.com, 2007 It was noticed that groups of female chimpanzees carefully put together spears that might have lacked in finesse but was capable of hunting down smaller mammals. (www.terradaily.com, 2007) There was no touch of remorse and the killing was often brutal. Since chimpanzees are considered to the be the last transition of the ape before developing into a human form, the study of this behaviour of the chimpanzees gives a great deal of insight into the hunting skills and the weapons that might have been used by the early man. (Pruetz JD and Bertolani, 2007) The Research The research was conducted by two anthropologists Jill Pruetz and Paco Bertolani. Dr. Jill Pruetz who specializes in Biological Anthropology is an associate professor of Anthropology. Her research work has taken her to places including Peru, Costa Rica, Kenya, Nicaragua and Senegal. (www.terradaily.com, 2007) The research mainly focussed on the behaviour of spider monkeys, chimpanzees and howling monkeys. The observation of chimpanzees exhibiting predatory behaviour to hunt food has increased her interest to study the influence that ecology might have exerted in developing feeding habits and social behaviour of early man. (news.nationalgeographic.com) She is currently in Senegal undertaking a research funded by the National Geographic Society and the National Science Foundation. Its aim is to study the behaviour of chimps in an environment that is as simulated and close to the condition that existed during the times of the early man. She also co-founded DANTA which is a non-profit organization and is also actively involved in teaching and other conservation activities. (www.anthr.iastate.edu, 2011) Source: Dr.Jill Pruetz, www.anthr.iastate.edu, 2011 Paco Bertolani is a Phd student and an anthropologist of great promise who successfully conducted these research experiments with Dr. Jill and has formulated several key aspects on behavioural policies exhibited by chimpanzees. A dissertation presented in 1994 dealt with the challenges faced by primates in food consumption and their social interaction. In 1997 another dissertation on adoption scenarios being taken up by chimpanzees was also a major achievement. (www.human-evol.cam.ac.uk) Paco also has a wealth of field experience. He was present in 1994-1996 to study the behaviour of forest chimpanzees. In 1998-2000 field studies were also conducted on freshwater turtles. He spent an additional 11 months in 2004 to observe and study savannah chimpanzees (www.human-evol.cam.ac.uk) Source: Paco Bertolani, www.human-evol.cam.ac.uk, 2011 Both Paco Bertolani and Jill Pruetz were supported in their research by grants that were provided by the National geographic society, Center for study of violence at Iowa State University, ISU Foreign Travel Grant, American Society of Primatologists Conservation Grant and the ISU Faculty Professional Development Grant. The findings of their research were published in the 2007, March 16th edition of ‘Current Biology’ under the title “Savanna Chimpanzees, Pan Troglodytes versus, Hunt with Tools.” (news.nationalgeographic.com) The Discovery It is a well documented fact that chimpanzees are the most intelligent of the Primates in the family of apes. This has been substantiated by their clever use of picking out insects and other tiny creatures from the inside of logs. There has also been use of other hard devices or stones to crack open nuts to access the food inside. Although this behaviour has been widely observed the capability of these chimpanzees in hand crafting tools from sharp edged stones and use it for hunting is a new aspect that would provide new insight into the hunting habits of early man. (www.terradaily.com, 2007) As part of the research two different species of chimpanzees were keenly observed. One belonged to savannah chimpanzees of the Fongoli community and other belonged to the chimpanzees residing in south east Senegal. (news.nationalgeographic.com) The spear that was being crafted by these chimpanzees was done so in a very methodical manner so as to obtain a very robust piece of construction. It was not an ‘on the spur moment’ of construction but involved painstakingly finding out the correct sharp edged tool that could be used to get maximum impact. (www.terradaily.com, 2007) These were subsequently used in a series of small punching motions to kill and pry out bushbabies from cavities of tree trunks or holes in other branches. These bushbabies are classified as nocturnal prosimians that remain inside dark corners and cavities during day time and come out only during the night. (Pruetz JD and Bertolani, 2007) Another notable feature that was observed during this study was the degree of perseverance that was exerted by these chimpanzees in ultimately hunting down bushbabies. A series of twenty two continuous attempts were recorded before the chimpanzees were able to get their catch. It was also concluded that the predatory behaviour that was being exhibited by these chimpanzees was a normal behaviour and was not a stressed out reaction to obtain food during times of hunger. (news.nationalgeographic.com) Observations were also made as to the hunting method exhibited by these chimpanzees. It was noted that these spears were used in a series of quick, forceful motions inside the holes and cavities. This was done not merely to arouse the bushbabies or force them out of their dwellings. (Pruetz JD and Bertolani, 2007) It was done to maim these bushbabies inside the small area of these cavities and prevent them from coming outside where there were greater chances of them escaping and also due the rapid mobility which bushbabies exhibited. (www.terradaily.com, 2007) The other notable thing about the process was that they used their teeth in sharpening the edges of these sticks. This was done frequently and time and again the chimpanzees would withdraw these sticks and sense these using their noses for possible traces of blood and then proceed to stab into these cavities once again. Other studies have indicated that it is not common for chimpanzees to hunt down prosimian prey for their food as the most common form of meat that is otherwise consumed by chimpanzees is that of red colobus monkeys. This is generally hunted by males with little female intervention. (www.terradaily.com, 2007) Source: Hunting bushbabies, www.new.nationalgeographic.com, 2007 However the behaviour that was exhibited the Fongoli group of chimpanzees suggested that since these resided mostly in dry savannah areas where red colobus monkeys were absent, the bushbabies by natural choice became the prime source of sustenance for these chimpanzees. This meat was required by the chimpanzees since it was the only source of fat and proteins that would be required for vigorous sexual activity. However the female gender were the ones who used these spears to hunt down bushbabies indicating a change of behaviour since males were always considered the dominant gender that would obviously be engaged in hunting habits. (Pruetz JD and Bertolani, 2007)These events suggest that the female chimps were engaged in hunting activities that was not taken up by their male counterparts and therefore promotes the idea that the female specie of the early humans apart from hunting contributed a lot in the development of tools. History of Science The Structure of Scientific Revolutions that was proposed by Thomas Kuhn was an important explanation that questioned the basic tenets of formal or normal science. This is because the nature of science is such that there would be a group of science practitioners who would propose a model or a scientific theory based on their research. This would be supported by other groups till this would be most widely accepted norm. This was called Normal Science. However in due course of time this theory might run into rough weather and people questioning this philosophy would be establishing a paradigm of their own. A revolution occurs and this would then become the next tenet. (Schuster J A, 1995) This paradigm then moves into its particular time interval of normal science. Kuhn defined Normal science as paradigms that were proposed by a scientific community to lay a foundation to carry out further research. However it would be difficult to fix a time period for how long the theory would hold since further research might change the basic structure of this theory. Textbooks that propose theories that are used by researchers as the fundamentals run the risk of narrowing the horizons of these scientists since it lays down the groundwork as to what is considered correct. (Nick Young, 2000) Scientific problems are further classified into problems that fit a particular norm or that require a certain degree of readjustment or stretching to fit into a particular model. Problems of extension involve trying to fit data available from new phenomena into tenets that can be easily explained. (Schuster J A, 1995) Revolutions are explained by Kuhn as something which occurs when an accepted paradigm experiences something that does not stay in tune with the accepted norm. This leads to debates about the existing tenet and after many discussions which might involve some time, a new theory is proposed. (Kuhn T.S, 1970) There are however many grey areas in the theory that was proposed by Kuhn. This because according to him science followed a circular path of normal science entering into a revolutionary period for a period of time and thereafter again become part of the normal science after the new theories were accepted by the scientific community. However it fails to address the period of transition between normal science and revolutionary science. (Nick Young, 2000) Therefore one is unable to clearly distinguish the periods under which science was normal and periods under which science was revolutionary. Kuhns model however seeks to dispel the thought that science is a summation of ideas and theories that accumulate over a period of time and that which would add on to the existing models. (Kuhn T.S, 1970) Kuhn says that there is no one particular Scientific Method and whatever theory that is being considered at that point in time should not be considered to be the ultimate theory that would stand the test of time. It should only be considered as an acceptable theory at that moment and nothing further beyond that. Significance of the Research It is in this context that the work done by Dr. Jill and Paco assumes significance. It provided insights into this new predatory behaviour that the chimpanzees exhibited. Creatures that were considered mostly of docile nature displayed this violent streak to get access to protein rich food which would supplement their mostly vegetarian food. (Pruetz JD and Bertolani, 2007) It also broke the notion that early humans had devised ingenious tools for hunting activity. This evidence suggests that much before early man, the chimpanzees had exhibited this nature which gradually became a human trait as chimpanzees evolved. (Roach John, 2007) The other significant idea that came out of this discovery was that humans were considered until this point in time as the beings that used tools to simplify their workload. These observations where chimpanzees used sharp sticks to approach inaccessible areas brought to light these character traits were ingrained in chimpanzees much before man evolved. (Pruetz JD and Bertolani, 2007) This also highlighted the role that female chimpanzees played in hunting for food breaking the notion that it was only males that engaged in such activity. Conclusion The studies conducted by Dr. Jill and Paco have successfully proved the importance of Kuhns Scientific Revolution theory since it has once again questioned the findings that were made by previous researches regarding the character traits of early man. This research successfully documented the behaviour of female chimpanzees of the savannah region in carrying out hunting activities on bushbabies residing in the holes of tree trunks. The research brought the inherent intelligence that was present in the chimpanzees and their systematic use of tools in improving work efficiency. This study has therefore thrown new light on the social aspects and the behavioural traits exhibited by chimpanzees. Reference List 1. Chimpanzees Found to Use Tools to Hunt Mammalian Prey, 2007, Available at http://www.terradaily.com, [accessed on 20th May 2011] 2. Schuster J A, 1995, The Scientific Revolution: An Introduction to the History and Philosophy of Science 3. Nick Young, 2000, Thomas Kuhn and the Structure of Scientific Revolutions, The Scientific Revolution. 4. Kuhn T.S, 1970, The structure of Scientific Revolutions, University of Chicago Press 5. Roach John, 2007, Chimps use “Spears” to hunt Mammals, Available at http://www.news.nationalgeographic.com, [Accessed on 20th May 2011] 6. Iowa State University, College if Liberal arts & Sciences, 2011, available at http://www.anthr.iastate.edu/faculty, [accessed on 20th May 2011] 7. Paco Bertolani Profile, 2011, available at http://www.human-evol.cam.ac.uk, [accessed on 20th May 2011] 8. Pruetz JD and Bertolani, 2007, Savanna chimpanzees hunt with tools, Current Biology, p.412-417 Read More