2. Does human instinct always predominate?

Let’s assume for one second that this scenario is possible and disregard reality. This is a fictitious scenario but I am still interested what people think about the possible outcome.

Two newborn, a boy and a girl, are left on a deserted island with absolutely no one taking care of them, talking to them, feeding them or educating them. In this fictitious scenario, they are able to find food, shelter, water and sleep, the 4 basic necessity for every human being.

Assuming again that those children have now reached puberty, are healthy, have no physical challenge except for the lack of parental love and affection. How would they develop?

Would their basic instinct take over, even though nobody ever told them, showed them or educated them?

Could they find love for each other? Would they know how to procreate since they have never had access to any visuals or sounds made by others?

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Docdon23 · M

Human infants take far longer to mature and become independent than most animals...in the scenario you describe it is doubtful they could survive and find food as newborns...but let's play along--assume perhaps an animal comes along to at least nurture them...we do have many instincts that are based on our long human history, and survival instincts could eventually kick in. I would also assume the two might become very interconnected to survive, and also become attached to any animals that helped or nurtured them...I would also think they would evolve as wild animals, fending for themselves, living off nature, with a focus on survival and basic needs--food, shelter, comfort...and probably also develop some communication skills unlike the languages we all learned, but more practical...they would probably far more independent and skilled than most of us, who are raised in the midst of all kinds of civilized institutions...

Stephie · F

@Docdon23 Interesting reply, probably one of the most complete and realistic one, given that nobody ever had to endure such an ordeal. Thanks for sharing.

Docdon23 · M

@Stephie You ask some interesting questions...as a philosophy major in college and longtime teacher, I love your curiosity...we should always think outside the box, that is how we grow and learn!!! Glad to see you are still active. I did send you a message long ago but never received a reply, so SW will not let me communicate in any more messages until you reply!! I actually have lots of out of the box experiences and questions!!

Stephie · F

@Docdon23 I will check my DM tomorrow as here in England, it is now past 11PM and time for me to go to sleep.

I am not asking many questions but I try to tailor those that I ask to topics that have (probably) never been asked on this site. I have a few up my sleeve but I need to do some more research on those topics.

swirlie

@Stephie

probably one of the most complete and realistic ones,

...one of the most complete and realistic you say? How would you know if this unlikely scenario was realistic if as you say, nobody ever had to endure such an ordeal?

Stephie · F

@swirlie Thanks for your feedback.

Docdon23 · M

@Stephie I look forward to more questions!!! Thank you. Hope to talk tomorrow...

swirlie

@Stephie
You're welcome for the feedback, but how about answering my question first?

Docdon23 · M

@swirlie Can I suggest in science, often there is conjecture about what might be, and then new learning develops...like with Einstein and relativity

swirlie

@Docdon23
I can assure you Docdon23, that human babies being raised by wild animals in theory as you've previously suggested in this thread, has absolutely nothing to do with creating a parallel between Einstein and his Theory of Relativity, nor is that analogy you made even close for the case you're trying your best to construct with @Stephie. Try again, Doc.

Stephie · F

@swirlie There are documented cases of single humans being raised or adopted by animals. However, I am not aware of any case where several humans were adopted by the same animal.

Furthermore, in my hypothetical question, there is no mention of animals. The answer by @Docdon23 simply suggests that this could be a plausible scenario, to which I simply stated that his answer was one of the most plausible one among the ones I received on this question.

swirlie

@Stephie
Very well.