> Suppose we confine ourselves to science, and rigorously
> avoid lit- and cult-crit, while admitting those portions of
> psychology, sociology and anthropology which seem firmly
> grounded in material evidence. What can we prove, scientifically
> speaking, about the degree to which humans are necessarily
> social animals, and the degree to which they are individuals,
> as dictated by their _material_ characteristics? How nonsocial
> can human beings be, and still live (as a species)? Could
> they live like those animals which meet only to breed? What
> happens to humans who don't grow up in world containing
> language? Have any anthro or socio folks gone into this issue?
>
> I realize this seems like a dumb question, and I'm hoping to
> get the very snappy yet profound answers which truly dumb
> questions merit.
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Gordon,
Check out those studies of the people who lived alone deep in those caves with a bunch of food, medical equipment etc. for an extended period of time as a science experiment. They've got to be on the net somewhere.
Ian