Ardrey, Robert (1908–1980)

Contributions and Perspectives

Robert Ardrey's contributions to the anthropological perspective regarding our species can be considered both iconoclastic and intellectually provocative. Drawing upon the observations of paleontologists, zoologists, psychologists, and work in sociobiology, Ardrey attempted to explain our species behavior, primarily in terms of aggression, within a naturalistic framework. The basis for his speculation regarding human behavior is not grounded in myth, theology, mysticism or unrealistic metaphysics; rather, his view was drawn from scientific speculation based on scientific evidence. As an anthropologist, Ardrey was grounded within an evolutionary structure.

The influence of Charles Darwin (1809–1882) upon science cannot be understated. Darwin's theory of organic evolution created a scientific framework for our species' existence and behavior. Regarding our species' evolution, speculation as to the place where our species evolved varied; for Darwin, our species' origin was in Africa. For others, Asia became the point of constructive speculation. Although Darwin's critique of human behavior falls short of contributions given by sociobiology, the significance of culture and derived behavior was put into an evolutionary framework. However, the physical evidence needed to refine plausible speculations was lacking. Although discoveries of fossil hominids would increase scientific awareness of human origin, it would be the discovery of Australopithecus by Raymond Dart that would influence Ardrey's depiction of human behavior.

Based upon the work of Dart and contributions of primatology, Ardrey stated that our primal behavior, similar to that of other primates, is rooted in our evolutionary past (whereas any differences are due to the evolution of the human brain). As depicted by the evidence regarded by Dart, Ardrey supported the belief that our hominid ancestor, Australopithecus africanus, was aggressive, skillful (use of tools), and a “culturally advanced” Pliocene killer (killer apes). Consequently, human behavior that became romanticized and supported an anthropocentric view was reevaluated as being deeply instinctual primate behavior. Behavior derived from the need of sustenance, reproduction, and territory, closely linked by the complexity of the human brain, modified this instinctual aggressiveness that was depicted by Dart's specimens (evidence). In Ardrey's opinion, unlike earlier evolutionists', our species' moral nature was no different than any other animal's moral nature. This is due to the territorial imperative,whereby territory is the principal stimulus in this natural morality. In an evolutionary process, Ardrey depicted that the “moral” life is played and identified within these territories or arenas. The drama and interconnectedness of life, via territorial periphery, creates the probability for instinctual aggression; albeit aggression may not be fatal. Behavior, inter- and intra-group populations, is regulated by what Ardrey terms the “amity-enmity complex” (prompted by external and internal threats), which provides an individual a means for identity, stimulation, and security.

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