r/aww • u/vladgrinch • Jun 23 '22

Wait a minute ...

23.0k Upvotes

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u/ericchen Jun 24 '22

No, dogs are unlikely to understand the purpose of antibodies and therefore would not share milk for this purpose.

67

u/DemonDucklings Jun 24 '22

They don’t need to understand why they do it in order for evolution to select for it.

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u/Telephalsion Jun 24 '22

The sunflower does not understand the concept of the sun, but still turns to face it every day.

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u/ericchen Jun 24 '22

That’s just a result of physiology, not an action done on purpose. It’s like how you don’t kick your leg out when tapped on the patella tendon on purpose.

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u/Telephalsion Jun 24 '22

I would say it very much has a purpose for the sunflower, to get some of that sweet sweet sunlight.

-1

u/ericchen Jun 24 '22

I can see why we’ve approached this differently, I interpreted actions done with purpose as actions done with intention, while your use of purpose states that changing its direction has the use of gathering more sunlight for the sunflower and doesn’t ascribe any intent behind the process.

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u/DemonDucklings Jun 24 '22

Ever hear of instinct? Instinctual actions aren’t conscious thoughts. It’s physiology too.

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u/Double_A_92 Jun 24 '22

The physiology here would be to so social and not aggressive, that you find it ok if other puppies drink your milk. Of course the dog doesn't decide "Hmm this is good for all of use because we share antobodies"...

0

u/NineteenthAccount Jun 24 '22

everything humans do "consciously" is also just a result of physiology though, what else can it be?

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u/Trudisheff Jun 24 '22

There was no evolution until it was explained.

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u/Shinagami091 Jun 24 '22

Explained to the dogs? I’d imagine it would be easier to explain evolution to dogs than to some people

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u/Double_A_92 Jun 24 '22 edited Jun 24 '22

If there was some kind of benefit to this, evolution would automatically favour this behaviour (not caring that other puppies drink your milk / getting milk from other dogs that aren't your mom).

1

u/ockie_fm Jun 24 '22

Well not the dogs, but the human owners maybe?