Page 14 - Core Beliefs For Intentional Community
P. 14

Certain conditions should produce parallels between behaviors such as territoriality
             in lower animals which are genetic in origin and culturally produced behaviors in man.
             In both cases the environment has favored behavior of a certain type, but in the
             first case the emergent form is directly under the control of biological mechanisms.
             In the latter case the adaptive behavior is selected from a wide range of possible
             behaviors none of which are specifically controlled by the genetic system.


             Thus I am not surprised when I find territorial behavior in many human groups. Nor
             am I surprised to find aggressive behavior affecting various levels
             of that complex whole which makes up human social life. It is no

             surprise either that the anthropological record contains many
             cases of opposite types of behavior. No one type reflects the
             "real" innate nature of man. Human nature is largely open, and it is
             this very openness that gives the human species its great
             advantage in the biological world.'


             Alland‛s  operative conclusion is that our brain constitutes the biological endowment
             that enables us to determine cultural norms.  We are endowed with FREE WILL.
             The mainstream of the Jewish heritage presupposes Alland‛s point of view.                 Here
             are two examples.




             Deuteronomy, Chapter 30:
             15] See, I set before you this day life and prosperity, death and adversity. 16] For I
             command you this day, to love the DIVINE your God, to walk in Its ways, ·and to keep
             Its commandments, Its laws, and Its rules, that you may thrive and increase, and
                                                        that the DIVINE your God may bless you in

                                                        the land which you are about to invade and
                                                        occupy…  19] I call heaven and earth to witness
                                                        against you this day: I have put  before you
                                                        life and death, blessing and curse. Choose life -
                                                        if you and your offspring would live…


                                                        Ethics of the Fathers (Pirkei Avot)  -       3:19
             “Everything is foreseen, yet freedom of choice is given; and the world is judged with
             goodness, and all is according to the majority of deeds.”



             The choice is ours.  We have the ability to intervene in what appears to be
             fate.


             In our next issue we will examine the concept of community as a basic framework for
             human existence, from both a universal and Jewish point of view.
                                                                                Compiled by Michael Livni




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