ABSTRACT
In the opening chapter of this book I emphasized the fact that man is not only a social animal but also an altricial one. At birth the human individual is not an independently viable organism. His body must grow and his brain must be ‘programmed’ before he can function. The programme consists not only of those instructions that are necessary to the effective performance of functions that are biologically essential, but also those that shape his behaviour in accordance with the customs, values, and ontological conceptions of the society to which he belongs. This process of enculturation plays an essential role in creating the social solidarity and stability that enable the human individual to engage in co-operative activity with other members of his species. Needless to say, it also plays a role in creating the sense of distinctiveness of social groups which often leads to destructive conflict between them.
