The Making of Morality

Published: Jan. 13, 2025

Abstract Human cognition is unique in its dependence on often highly complex and abstract moral concepts. It also widely known that there massive variation the ways which humans think when it comes to morality—at least a surface level. However, not clear what explains this reliance concepts human thought. Taking steps toward answering question goal of chapter. To do this, argues we need see these two questions—Why rely other species not? Why they so differently within their own species?—as deeply related. Answering questions requires paying attention feedback loop between representations, cultural learning, cognitive social technology.

Language: Английский

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Thinking Tools

Published: Jan. 13, 2025

Abstract This chapter argues that underlying the evolution of distinctively human cognition is a complex, looping dynamic. The describes this dynamic and shows how it can answer questions left open from previous chapter. At heart positive feedback loop: sophisticated cultural learning makes possible creation tools increase sophistication representational decision-making, which in turn allows for yet further increases tool manufacture. provides general overview account. Doing so clearer different applications detailed next few chapters hang together an explicit contrast to accounts sketched bring out novelty here more explicitly.

Language: Английский

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Tools of the Trade

Published: Jan. 13, 2025

Abstract Famously, humans are standouts in their propensity to trade. However, a number of important questions about this remain open. First, it is not clear exactly what makes so different the human case from that other animals. Second, why animals did acquire extent did. Third, explains fact which engage trade culturally highly variable. The chapter argues at heart human–animal divergence particular sociocultural environment evolved. This has led them sometimes, but always, cognitive technology (writing, algebra, tallying devices, money, etc.) support sophisticated disposition and capacity for reciprocal cooperation deep wide concepts property exchange value.

Language: Английский

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Human Cognitive Uniqueness

Published: Jan. 13, 2025

Abstract This chapter sets out an inventory of what makes human cognition special. It argues for a multidimensional, culturally variable account that acknowledges the differences between and non-human are matters degree, not kind. distinguishes distinctively low-level traits (e.g., attention, discounting), high-level representations is just or mine), cognitive suites (cultural learning, tool use, language). However, also shows this sort view still allows notion to be theoretically empirically meaningful: these laundry list features but get at heart living.

Language: Английский

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Explaining Distinctively Human Cognition

Published: Jan. 13, 2025

Abstract This chapter sketches the major existing treatments of nature and evolution distinctively human cognition: modular, nativist views, cultural learning–based symbol processing–based views. (Some further, more specific accounts are discussed in later chapters.) It lays out benefits these different but also shows why they, on their own, fall short providing a compelling account cognition. The ends by list open questions that we still need answers to. In this way, helps us understand new treatment cognition is needed.

Language: Английский

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The Origins of Distinctively Human Mindreading

Published: Jan. 13, 2025

Abstract This chapter begins by noting that humans stand out from other organisms in their ability to mentalize: they attribute mental states with high degrees of abstractness and complexity, do so frequently situations major importance. However, mindreading abilities are also less than fully reliable culturally variable. proposes a novel account explain these facts. Since human is cognitively very costly, further cognitive social tools needed make it work efficiently (or at all), even given an evolved psychological machinery for mindreading. The upshot this feedback loop involving mindreading, cultural learning, sociotechnological development.

Language: Английский

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It's Only Human

Published: Jan. 9, 2025

Abstract What makes humans cognitively unique—and why are they unique in these ways? These interesting questions not just because we humans, but also have an outsized influence on the planet as a whole. To answer them, this book begins by providing clearer characterization of nature human cognitive uniqueness: it sets out and justifies inventory key features distinctively cognition. On basis, assesses major existing theories seeking to explain thought from across cognitive, social, sciences argues that new account is needed, one bridges nativist learning-based approaches. It then presents exactly such account. At heart positive feedback loop links evolved representations, forms cultural learning, technology. With help loop, examples uniquely cognition can be explained: mindreading, moral cognition, propensity for trade. The concludes with application interactionist theory various issues contemporary importance: relationship between increasingly sophisticated artificial intelligence, role religion action, extensive patent regimes innovation. In doing all this, takes simultaneous methodological explanatory approach: shows how best conduct study uniqueness actually engages itself.

Language: Английский

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Artificial Intelligence, Religion, and Patents

Published: Jan. 13, 2025

Abstract This chapter develops some applications and conclusions of the account sketched in previous chapters book. It begins by summarizing key results from discussions Chapters 4–7 returns to questions left open Chapter 2. then considers three this issues contemporary importance: relationship between distinctively human cognition increasingly sophisticated artificial intelligence, role religion thought action, extensive patent regimes innovation. Apart their great importance, these are useful for clarifying various aspects defended rest

Language: Английский

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Conclusion

Published: Jan. 13, 2025

Abstract The final chapter of the book pulls together all strings developed in previous chapters and summarizes overall picture that results. Human cognition, while not necessarily differing kind from what is found among non-human animals, still unique distinctive many ways. A compelling account evolution development distinctively human cognition based on an interactionist feedback loop links cumulative cultural learning, cognitive social technology, innate representational expectations. Understanding this point just inherently interesting, but also has implications for matters contemporary importance.

Language: Английский

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Introduction

Published: Jan. 13, 2025

Abstract This chapter motivates the investigation of evolution distinctively human cognition: knowing more about how we think and act tells us something important who are, it is useful for helping make better decisions. The latter especially important, given that have an outsized influence on planet. further clarifies scope project argues feasibility this kind evolutionary psychological investigation. It points out theory developed in book based synthesizing work many different fields—anthropology, psychology, economics, philosophy, to name just a few—into coherent overarching picture. While thus being not pure speculation: there difference between empirically grounded theorizing fantasy. ends by providing overview rest book.

Language: Английский

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