Glenn wrote:
<<I am aware that .5 is a poor correlation. Do you have a reference for
what
you are saing here? And even if the data you have shows at least some
improvement in correlation for monzygotic twins.>>
Plomin, R., Chipuer, H.M., & Loehlin, J. C. (1990). Behavioral genetics and
personality. In L. Pervin (Ed.), Handbook of Personality: Theory and
research (pp.225-243). NY: Guilford.
Plomin and Loehlin are well-known and respected behavior geneticists. They
have published widely.
<<The point with the twins anecdotes is that the two twins DIDN:T share a
history except that of coming from the same womb. Why should two twins
share
the trait of wanting to walk backwards into the ocean? I used to have a
guy
who worked for me who engaged in the same ritual everyday at quitting
time.
He looked at certain places in his room, felt his pockets, reached up to
turn out the light, then felt his pockets, walked back into his room and
then finally he would turn out the light and leave. Compulsive? yes.
Where
did such compulsions come from? I have been hopelessly addicted to
science
since as young as 4 and my mother told me it went back even further.
Where
did this compulsion come from? My middle son displayed musical talent
as
early 2 years old. He is now working in a church as a music
director-intern.
I certainly didn't teach that 2 year old music. My youngest really
didn't
care so much for music that young. So, how free were my choices, the
choices
of my employee, my children? Not all choices are really free--they are
in
part determined by our heredity.>>
I agree with you that a significant portion of our behavior patterns is
genetically influenced. But the conclusion that these behaviors are
therefore not free is problematic because it implies that the genes are
something not part of the individual. We tend to have this idea of genes as
independent agents controlling our behavior, and we fail to recognize that
our genes are in fact, part of who we are. To say that my genes make me do
something (or strongly influenced me) and therefore I was not exercising my
free will is something like saying that my hand (or brain, or leg or finger)
did it, not I.
To be free is to act in accordance with our nature, and the genes we have
are part of our nature. Of course, I recognize that you may disagree with my
understanding of freedom. If so, then how do you understand free will?
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Mon Apr 03 2000 - 02:50:36 EDT