Alright, we are back on track we a real controversy related to the
list's intended domain of discussion (cool!). I contend that all
of evolutionary psychology does boil down to a logic when viewed
from the right level. (corollary: there exists a level of description
where all evolutionary psychology boils down to logic).
Humans can be (usefully) understood as the story-telling ape. This is
shorthand for saying that we are all the ongoing product of two types
of replicators, memes and genes, which act in symbiosis through this
one species.
Whenever we wonder why we exhibit some particular behavior or trait,
a good explanation will involve showing how it is in the best interest
of some meme or gene that we do.[1] This is the level of logic: this
trait will propagate if and only if it is in the best interest of
these replicators which have influence over the production of said
trait.[2]
[1] Please insert standard disclaimers about how genes and memes don't
really have interests, and how there might be any number of useful ways
to view humans and explain their traits and behaviors.
[2] This entire post is open to rational criticism, including the truth
of all premises and methods of inference.
-- David McFadzean david@lucifer.com Memetic Engineer http://www.lucifer.com/~david/ Church of Virus http://www.lucifer.com/virus/