Atheists, why do dolphins protect humans and other fish in the water?

Question

It can't be for reasons of community or any other reasons that humans do since fish do not reciprocate and the dolphins would learn quite quickly that that is the case. Dolphins are still hunted by humans in parts of the world. Yet they routinely protect and fend off sharks. Sharks have been shown to leave bloody meat alone in the presence of dolphins.

So what evolutionary reason would explain it? They seem to take the caretaker role of the ocean. What benefit could they possibly get from risking their lives for fish or humans that they don't eat and get absolutely nothing in return from?

Chris M: Yes, I know they are not fish and are in fact mammals. That is why I asked why they would protect fish. Fish are not intelligent and don't reciprocate the way higher life forms do.

Dutchess: You were in a fire IN the ocean last year? Did you document this incredible defiance of all natural laws? I said they are caretakers of the OCEAN. So unless you were IN the ocean, how could they take care of you?

(Deep sigh....) It's truly a shame that I must explain why I asked this of atheists. I asked this of you because you believe that everything is the way it is because of evolution right? So for what evolutionary reason would dolphins risk their lives for humans or lowly fish if they get NOTHING in return? That would not make evolutionary sense now would it? (shakes head in total disbelief)

Texas Tem...: I am not a Christian but thanks for showing your bigotry and ignorance. Not everyone that believes in God is Christian nor do we all follow the "Bible". Nice try though.

And I note that no one can address the question so you attack me personally. As always... Show your true colors.

Answer 1

Yo.. why do you think wolves ever came in from the wild to sit at man's fire?? Kindred spirits is what we are, what wolves, humans and dolphins have in common is that we are all social animals that live in groups, dolphins aren't stupid, neither are wolves, both have displayed altruism in the past to other species.. You know what altruism is I hope? Well it's the selfless concern for the welfare of others, in social animals altruism is somewhat instinctive. Altruism is a product of evolution.. groups of social animals that display altruism obviously have a better chance of survival they work together to keep the whole group safe. Sometimes that altruism extends beyond species barriers simply because it is an instinctive reaction in certain social animals. You may have seen the video of a young boy who fell into a Gorilla enclosure at the zoo, one of the gorillas protected him.. Why? just because that gorilla is a social animal that is used to thinking of others besides itself. Now take a cat like a Tiger.. no altruism there because tigers don't live in social groups. Now go through all the animals you can think of that live in groups and research instances of these animals displaying altruism, now go through all the non-social animals you can think of you will soon see that social animals are likely to be altruistic because of their social nature. Evolution explains everything so long as you understand it.. and evolutionary adaptations in social animals easily explains altruism.

Answer 2

What does atheism have to do with it? Are you implying God made dolphins to protect other animals? but if God is so benevolent, then how do you explain the habit of humans to kill other humans? (and why did she make the sharks in the first place)

Since it would make sense for dolphins to protect their own young, perhaps the they protect other helpless animals out of habit? or perhaps it's just that they hate sharks (again, protecting their own young)

Someone said dolphins are not fish, which is true, but the question could be parsed as [Why do dolphins protect] [humans and other fish] [in the water], and in case anyone was not sure, humans are not fish either.

Answer 3

I think we are too quick to place humanity onto animals.

Dolphins are superior to sharks in their communal societal evolution. They routinely attack sharks, humans happen to be there at times, and 'feel' like they are being saved by the dolphins. But in reality the Dolphins are probably just doing what they do naturally, neutralizing a threat to their pod.

Dolphins rarely see men killing them, until its too late. So a learned fear of humans isn't likely, because there aren't allot of humans in the sea directly, and when we are in the sea, we are far from the to of the pecking order.

Answer 4

Dolphins are highly intelligent creatures, who are programmed to protect members of their clans and family.

Some scientists believe that because of this high intelligence and pre-programming, they are capable of altruistic acts of protection, always wishing to help another animal in need.

What does this have to do with atheists, by the way? Is it because since they are protecting humans, god must be involved? That seems to be an insult to the dolphin's intelligence.

Answer 5

This is obviously speculation but dolphins like humans and non-human primates have evolved as social animals and as such have evolved empathy. They also like humans have evolved the intelligence to apply that empathy. Evolution is not highly specific all the time. While we have evolved empathy in general because it is beneficial, that does not mean evolution is so specific to always apply it in a consistent fashion.

Are you really interested in the answer or do you merely wish to attack atheists?

Answer 6

Why is this question directed at atheists, why not philosophers or marine biologists.

As in all walks of human life, you need to provide specific instances, not ambiguous inferances if you wish for your question to be taken seriously and objectively answered.

I have swam with dolphins a number of times. They're really quite incredible creatures.

Personally I would equate their 'protector' nature to their obvious abundance of intelligence.

Answer 7

So I guess you are insinuating that dolphins are like little angels sent by God to protect us? And following your logic, sharks and wolves and bears and lions are evil slaves of the devil here to cause us misery and pain. Wow! You could start a whole new religion with this theory. You members could all talk in dolphin noises instead of talking in tongue like pentacosts.

Answer 8

There are so many animals that have truly unique traits, Atheists can not explain if evolution occurred or how it occurred,they just read it in book.They need to get a clue and go out in nature and figure out if it is really possible to think everything in this world evolved.

Answer 9

Go swimming in the ocean with a bunch of dolphins, see which one sticks around when a great white comes to eat you. It's only in the movies!!

Answer 10

dolphins are very intelligent in comparison with other animals. it has even been speculated that they can communicate through a form of speech. so if we assume that they have near human intelligence then you just have to ask yourself what makes humans go very far out of their way to save animals. my theory is that it is a combination of the recognition of innocence and our "protect our children" instincts that causes us to act that way