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It will probably offend some economists, but suicidal behaviour has even been observed in baboons, by Professor Marais. I think the event is described in his book "The Soul of the Ape", which I've read -- the link is to a quote from Robert Ardry's "African Genesis", which I don't recall having read.It is not too surprising if social animals may regard the group's survival as more important than their own. And many humans believe they have an insubstantial soul which survives bodily death. I'd guess having that kind of belief makes it easier to suicide consciously and with forethought, rather than out of instinct. I'd be very interested in the next chapter, which promises to examine the role of religion in suicide killings. Jonti
-- never a premie
Modified by Jonti at Fri, May 27, 2005, 14:24:05
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