3 ms·
The observation that conscious mind forms only a thin layer on top of our daily cognition is a fact, more or less I think. The special position that language ho
by fsloth 11y ago
The observation that conscious mind forms only a thin layer on top of our daily cognition is a fact, more or less I think. The special position that language holds on human neurological activity is a valuable notion.
But the conclusions that are drawn from these on the evolution of the mind are more interesting than useful, IMO.
"and could be fixed with a few pills (in theory, anyways)."
What would you specifically fix if this condition existed? Not all human brains are alike, and many people suffer when their neurological structure does not fit societies norms and are forced to modulate their self just to fit into a square box.
- digi_owl 11y ago> The special position that language holds on human neurological activity is a valuable notion. Dunno. Apes seem quite capable of language once offered alternate modes of expression, like picking symbols on boards or screens.
- the_af 11y agoAren't those findings on apes heavily contested? I know there were a few cases of hoaxes/deluded researchers. Apes are quite capable of something, true, but is it language as we understand it?
- learc83 11y agoYou're correct, most linguists agree that what apes are capable of is not language.
- bweitzman 11y agoI don't think it is a at all a fact that the conscious mind forms a thin layer on top of our daily cognition. We are in position right now where we are explaining behaviors left and right but we have made absolutely zero progress in the scientific study of consciousness. If anything, we are getting closer and closer to showing that we are not conscious. Wouldn't that be an interesting result.