Clever Corvids: a degree of abstract thought (Introduction)

by dhw, Sunday, March 06, 2016, 17:28 (3184 days ago) @ David Turell

In response to the revelation that ravens are capable of thinking for themselves but “don't have a human-like full-fledged theory of mind”, I referred to Professor Ivor Fatt-Grant from the University of the State of the Bleedinobvious: - dhw: From our point of view, though, the all-important conclusion of his study is that all organisms are cognitive and all organisms are able to draw inferences from their cognitive powers that influence their behaviour. He even goes so far as to claim that if organisms did not have these cognitive powers and the ability to act upon inferences drawn from their readings of and communication with the mental processes of other organisms (there are also long sections on the subjects of cooperation and symbiosis), they would not survive. - DAVID: Cognition to recognize danger. Born with it! Ask my newborn horses. - Somehow I doubt if even newborn humans could come up with “a full-fledged theory of mind”. However, if it is not obvious that survival strategies, decision-making, problem-solving, cooperation, symbiosis etc. require thought, I shall advise my Professor Fatt-Grant to abandon his planned sequel (Why Do Humans Think That Only Humans Can Think?) and instead concentrate on proving that water is wet, the sun is hot, and it takes two to tango.