Feral Children and Clever Animals: Reflections on Human Nature

In analyzing the rare, documented cases of children raised by animals and of animals that seem to exhibit thought, Candland, professor of psychology and animal behavior at Bucknell University, takes an unusual and thoughtful tack. Though arresting in themselves, these cases serve to provoke his reflections on what they say about the scientists and experimenters, and about their ramifications for psychoanalysis, behaviorism and phenomenology. From studies of feral children, Candland observes that lack of early education can cripple learning. He traces the source of the ``Mental Ladder'' of animal intelligence, and, after examining cases of chimpanzees that seemed to learn writing, concludes that animals don't learn by imitation but repeat behavior that produces pleasure. Though apes have been shown to communicate with their experimenters, scientists, according to Candland, have concentrated on that act and have not tried to map what it really means to the apes. His observations provoke much thought about the nature of experimentation and of knowledge. Illustrations not seen by PW. (Sept.)