Dim Forest Bright Chimps - Essay Example

The paper "Dim Forest Bright Chimps" discusses the article of Christophe Boesch and Hedwige Boesch-Achermann. They feel puzzled by the fact that whether these differences are brought upon by genetic factors or climatic changes. The development of the skills of these monkeys seem to have deep implications for the understanding of early human behaviour. The two scientists, Christophe Boesch and Hedwige Boesch-Achermann, have studied a group of chimpanzees in their natural setting to make new discoveries about the theories of evolution.

Their long term study conducted on a group of chimpanzees in the Tai National Park, in the Republic of the Ivory Coast sought to discover their primitive instincts in the sense of their food and hunting preferences. Since the chimps are primates and are at a very early stage of evolution compared to humans it is necessary that their behaviour be observed to draw conclusions about physical and biological anthropology of the humans. The topic also illustrates the way female chimps train their youngsters to acquaint them with coordination skills required to make and utilise tools.

All of this may lead to what Darwin was propounding many years ago that humans and chimps are in the same evolutionary line. The authors have referred to the works of Raymond Dart in 1953 who according to them proposed that group hunting and cooperation were key ingredients in the evolution of Homo sapiens. Although other researchers have spoken about the same instincts in the social carnivores like Lions. . Although other researchers have spoken about the same instincts in the social carnivores like Lions and Wild dogs but the writers of this article are convinced that "that hunting cooperatively and sharing food played a central role in the drama that enabled early hominids, some 1.

8 million years ago, to develop the social systems that are so typically human".4. Did the author address any contrary evidence or the opinions/work of others that run counter the author(s) claims . According to the writers Jane Goddall observed that Gombe chimps boost their success by hunting independently but simultaneously, thereby disorganizing their prey. They have made a very different observation that Tal chimps owe their success to being organized themselves.Also they have referred to the idea that many anthropologists believe that the hunting and behavioural differences between desert and forest chimps are because of climatic changes making the dessert chimps evolve from another line than that of the forest chimps.

This notion is not endorsed by the writer because he believes that these differences exist because forest hunting needed different methodology because of the very dense and dimly lit environment.5. What were the strengths and/or weaknesses of the author(s) argument Whereas it is true that adaptability shapes behaviours of chimps, even those of humans the different genetic code of these chimps cannot be ignored. Even in humans genetics control behaviours and intelligence. So the fact that these monkeys have superior genes cannot be ignored at all.6. What are your conclusions Do you agree or disagree with the author Why I agree with the authors because the behavioural difference between the two kinds of chimps can be