Source of morality?

[BEAKER]

I recall an incident in the news regarding the Brookfield Zoo in Chicago. A young visitor at the zoo climbed the railing and fell nearly 20 feet into the gorilla display. One of the female gorillas there recued him, with her own child on her back, and carried him to the door where the keepers usually brought food. While the child layed at the door she defended the area keeping the other gorillas away until the child was removed from their pen. Was this an act born of morality?

Good question!

 

One thing it was not, and that's survival of the fittest. It seems that some animals have more compassion than some humans do.

 

Maybe her offspring will be the next, long anticipated stage of progression in the evolutionary ladder for gorillas. Keep you eye on that gorilla!

 

Does that seem far fetched?

[BEAKER]

I recall an incident in the news regarding the Brookfield Zoo in Chicago. A young visitor at the zoo climbed the railing and fell nearly 20 feet into the gorilla display. One of the female gorillas there recued him, with her own child on her back, and carried him to the door where the keepers usually brought food. While the child layed at the door she defended the area keeping the other gorillas away until the child was removed from their pen. Was this an act born of morality?

By the way, I apologize if I seemed to trivialize the beauty and awe inspireing nature of this story. This really is quite amazing! I had heard about this story myself and have even seen a brief video clip someone captured who happened to be close-by at the zoo with a camera.

 

I think it's marvelous! I certainly don't have the definitive answer as to how and why, (although it could make a great new thread full of conflicting oppinions) - but thank you for bringing that to memory.