[_ Old Earth _] Animal instincts

[freeway]

Animal instincts understood (Job 39; Proverbs 30:24-28; Jeremiah 8:7). A newly hatched spider weaves an intricate web without being taught. A recently emerged butterfly somehow knows to navigate a 2,500-mile migration route without a guide. God explains that He has endowed each creature with specific knowledge. Scripture, not evolution, explains animal instincts.
How is this possible without being taught. If evolution is true should this not be instilled into each and every species. Why is it man which has the highest level of knowledge, is the one that has to be trained from the very beginning. How did this knowledge get put into the spider or butterfly, How would "Evolution" pass this preconceived knowledge on and if it does why not pass on how to build a better "mouse trap" instead of what has been going on since time began?

 

[Patashu]

The reason why each new generation of humans has to re-learn everything the previous knew is because human cultural and scientific knowledge is not a genetic phenomenon; it is not passed on in the genes, but through communication, accepted by the minds and personas. You cannot conflate the two ways in which traits can spread through a population; genetically and socially/culturally.

Humans too have instincts; if you touch a hot stove you WILL pull your hand back. You don't have to be taught to do this, you don't see toddlers keeping their burning fingers on the plate inquisitively. Instinct, unlike taught knowledge, is passed on genetically; the way your genes encode for proteins ensure that the body that is formed will react and respond with these instincts.

 

[Vic C.]

I believe these aren't instincts, Patashu, but reflexes. We have the ability to learn through reasoning. Most animals don't. Their abilities are innate. We are constantly learning by processing information for the environment around us and make conscience choices accordingly.

I'm not saying we weren't created with instincts; I'm just suggesting that many of the things we consider "instinctive", aren't.

 

[Deep Thought]

A human baby's instinct is to feed from their mother (as per most animals). A baby instinct is to cry when it is hungry, wet, cold, in need of comfort.

 

[Patashu]

Sorry, you're right, that would be a reflex not an instinct. Hold on...

How about the instinct to assume detected movements or events are caused by an agent's actions until shown otherwise?