GriecoNS201
The Baboon: One Tough Primate
Alex Rosenberg’s article, “Why I am a Naturalist” discusses how the theory of natural selection created by Charles Darwin fits in with the theory of Naturalism. In regard to the theory behind naturalism, Rosenberg explains, “Random variation and natural selection are the purely physical source of the beautiful means/ends economy of nature that fools us into seeking its designer… Naturalistic philosophy has returned the favor, helping psychology; evolutionary anthropology and biology solve their problems by greater conceptual clarity about function, adaptation, Darwinian fitness and individual-versus-group selection.” Thus proving that science can explain many of the questions that puzzle our world. An example of Darwin’s survival of the fittest theory can be applied to many different species. One in particular is the baboon. Baboons are known to be one of Africa’s most successful species since they can survive in many different environments, except the Sahara and tropical rain forests. They congregate in groups of 100 or more, which can be useful as a defense method while at the same time setting the stage for fierce competition. Males are significantly larger than females and have extremely large, sharp canine teeth. They are extremely aggressive which explains why they frequently attack not only each other but campsites and villages as well. When traveling in groups, baboons place the weaker males on the outside, while the strong males stay in the center to protect the females and the young. When a predator is spotted, the large males move to the outside to protect the group, and flash their teeth which can do serious damage to even some of their most feared predators including lions.
The Baboon: One Tough Primate
Alex Rosenberg’s article, “Why I am a Naturalist” discusses how the theory of natural selection created by Charles Darwin fits in with the theory of Naturalism. In regard to the theory behind naturalism, Rosenberg explains, “Random variation and natural selection are the purely physical source of the beautiful means/ends economy of nature that fools us into seeking its designer… Naturalistic philosophy has returned the favor, helping psychology; evolutionary anthropology and biology solve their problems by greater conceptual clarity about function, adaptation, Darwinian fitness and individual-versus-group selection.” Thus proving that science can explain many of the questions that puzzle our world. An example of Darwin’s survival of the fittest theory can be applied to many different species. One in particular is the baboon. Baboons are known to be one of Africa’s most successful species since they can survive in many different environments, except the Sahara and tropical rain forests. They congregate in groups of 100 or more, which can be useful as a defense method while at the same time setting the stage for fierce competition. Males are significantly larger than females and have extremely large, sharp canine teeth. They are extremely aggressive which explains why they frequently attack not only each other but campsites and villages as well. When traveling in groups, baboons place the weaker males on the outside, while the strong males stay in the center to protect the females and the young. When a predator is spotted, the large males move to the outside to protect the group, and flash their teeth which can do serious damage to even some of their most feared predators including lions.