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Re: Snakes, dogs, cats, horses-- anthropomorphism
If these criteria are used in a rigorous scientific manner, application of the term "instinct" cannot be used in reference to human behavior. When terms, such as mothering, territoriality, eating, mating, and so on, are used to denote human behavior they are seen to not meet the criteria listed above. In comparison to animal behavior such as hibernation, migration, nest building, mating and so on that are clearly instinctual, no human behavior meets the necessary criteria.
However, if these criteria are used in a rigorous scientific manner for any species, then there is no instinctive behavior in any species. I know horses, ddogs, and rabbits that will not mother their young. Therefore mothering is not an instinctive behavior in horses, dogs, or rabbits? I know horses that will not nurse or will not eat. I know dogs that refuse to eat. I know snakes that never eat. And die because of it. Therefore eating is not an instinctive behavior in these creatures? I know pandas will not breed. I know snakes and dogs that will not breed. I know horses that will not breed. Therefore breeding is not an instinct of these species? I know stallions that have killed thier young. I know mother dogs that have killed their puppies. In every species across the board, there will be aberrant members of the species that defy the instinctive behaviors. The definition is flawed.
However, I really don't want to hash at this or disagree constantly. I can accept that your definitions are different than mine. That is fine.

~~ZinniaZ
2.1.0 ball python-- James Herriot the Spider BP and Paradox, my son's female normal BP, Jack London, het red axanthic
0.1 Blue Beauty-- Anna Sewall
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