ABSTRACT
If our purpose is predictive understanding, it is always dangerous to assume that a characteristic found in a nonhuman creature has its parallel in humans; but we continually search for these apparent correlations for at least two good reasons: we, as creatures, do not want to feel alone; and we learn by extension of our old knowledge. This is our easiest path to new understanding. If we can find a fellow creature, another member of the living envelope on Earth, and in that creature find something in its personal or collective struggle with the environment that seems to reverberate with meaning for us, then we may not presume to have found a direct human correlate; but we have found an idea which can inform the creative speculation and theory building in which we as scientists, humanists—seekers all, must involve ourselves in our struggle towards understanding.
