Percy-L: Literary, Religious, Scientific, and Philosophical Discussion of Walker Percy

["Parlin, Steven" <PARLINS AT culver.org>]

Dear Wade, 

I agree with Jim on this. While it may be the case, and likely is the case,
that there is a genetic component to consider, until we can point to
language and say "There it is; that's language; and that's not", I am
dubious about claims to a direct genetic link. Furthermore, I'm inclined to
believe that the mind, and subsequently consciousness, is intractable; that
it can't be understood strictly as a bio-chemical system of interactions.  

Steve 


 -----Original Message-----
From:   James Piat [mailto:piat1 AT bellsouth.net] 
Sent:   Friday, December 13, 2002 1:57 AM
To:     percy-l AT lists.ibiblio.org
Subject:        Re: [percy-l] Re:Seminal events of consciousness

Dear Wade,

I've been reading accounts of the genetic basis of mental disorders for the
past 30 years  -- until one of them comes up with a passably interesting
account of what a mental disorder is I will continue to dismiss them out of
hand. Same goes for the so called genetic "explanations" of language  --
until the geneticists demonstrate some understanding of what makes the study
of language interesting I consider their research beside the point. How can
they identify the genes for language when neither they or anyone else yet
knows what language is or who has the capacity for it?  Seems to me the
nature and distribution of language ability (like that of so called mental
disorders) is only self evident to those who understand it least.

Jim Piat

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