Posted by R. John Howe on November 23, 1998 at 16:41:47:
In Reply to: Re: Sidebar: Lamarck and evolution posted by J. Barry O'Connell Jr. on November 23, 1998 at 09:08:35:
Dear Jim -
If Lamarck won't sell, you could always try Montesquieu's "collective unconscious" as a possible alternative conveyance mechanism for design motifs. And I know you like Vico - :-)
Regards,
John Howe
: The idea that ancestors weaving would influence ones ability to weave is generally discredited today. However the idea that the Altaic peoples could bear some genetic trait that influences their weaving is to the best of my knowledge untested. The idea Lamarck is now considered discredited by the "Conventional Wisdom" and Darwin is accepted does not really touch on the genetic component of weaving. I have the feeling that with advances in computing and the results of projects like the Human genome project that we are going to start addressing the questions of why a people does what it does.
: On the other hand I tend to discount the genetic component in the similarities between Turkmen and Indian weaving. But that is just a guess.
: Best wishes,
: Barry
: J. Barry O'Connell Jr.
: http://earth.oconnell.net/rugnotes