Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Plant Sciences, Zoology & Evolution => Topic started by: Lewis Thomson on 14/01/2022 10:24:41

Title: Can we teach chimpanzees to become cavemen?
Post by: Lewis Thomson on 14/01/2022 10:24:41

Donald has submitted a strange question to us at the Naked Scientists

"Chimpanzees have been seen to use modified sticks (for termite extraction) and throw rocks and faeces for defence. They teach their young. They live in social groups. This is probably unethical, but if a troupe were given access to sharp pointed sticks, would they be able to reason ways to use them for defence, hunting, mate competition, etc, eventually? Humans have already involved captive chimps in innumerable intelligence tests. Are these chimps permitted to breed and teach their young?"

Leave you answers in the comments below...

Title: Re: Can we teach chimpanzees to become cavemen?
Post by: Origin on 14/01/2022 15:25:02

Quote from: Lewis Thomson on 14/01/2022 10:24:41

This is probably unethical, but if a troupe were given access to sharp pointed sticks, would they be able to reason ways to use them for defence, hunting, mate competition, etc, eventually?

No, they are not smart enough and they do not have the dexterity to make or use tools (even pointy sticks) effectively.

Title: Re: Can we teach chimpanzees to become cavemen?
Post by: alancalverd on 14/01/2022 17:39:39

Chimpanzees are too strong, dexterous and intelligent to behave like humans.

Title: Re: Can we teach chimpanzees to become cavemen?
Post by: Origin on 14/01/2022 18:26:16

Quote from: alancalverd on 14/01/2022 17:39:39

Chimpanzees are too strong, dexterous and intelligent to behave like humans.

LOL. 

Title: Re: Can we teach chimpanzees to become cavemen?
Post by: evan_au on 14/01/2022 21:59:43

Quote from: OP

chimps ...teach their young

Chimpanzees do learn skills from watching their mothers ("monkey see, monkey do").
- But I have a vague recollection that they did not go quite as far as the human approach of the teacher then watching the student, and correcting their technique.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chimpanzee

Title: Re: Can we teach chimpanzees to become cavemen?
Post by: vhfpmr on 14/01/2022 23:38:12

It's been tried. It didn't end well.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nim_Chimpsky