It is always interesting to read these types of articles because it introduces me to another aspect. The new perspective not only allows me to see that there are more critical thinkers than I expected, but it entertains me and challenges me to think critically myself. Marc Hauser introduces the Key Ingredients of the Human Mind being, Generative Computation, promiscuous combination of ideas, mental symbols and abstract thought. Each and every one of them have their own meaning and correlation to the article but it amazes me how one individual could take the time to process these perspectives. He states that recursion is the repeated use of a rule to create new expressions. With that one statement, it was then easy to wonder off and ponder about what kinds of recursive thinking humans do on an everyday basis. He also mentions that how these four ingredients are implemented and used vary from group to group. This reminds me of cultural myths and how every ones thought processes can be altered depending on how they were raised, their environment and their culture itself.
When reading Genetic Hyping I was interested and put more thought into how genes play an important role in our every day lives. There are so many factors that affect behaviors but when you realize your fathers side of the family is completely temperamental and have more of a tendency of being stricken with nerve disorders, you no longer have the tendency of asking yourself why you are the way you are. This goes along with him saying that genes and the environment affect behavior. Being introduced to my biological father and spending time with that side of the family brought out characteristics that I knew lied within me, figuratively speaking, but enabled me to be more comfortable with them.
One random thought is that experiments are always done with lab rats, or in this case, mice; I am now wondering if it will ever take place with a human.
Showing posts with label Hauser. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hauser. Show all posts
Monday, November 2, 2009
Friday, October 23, 2009
Reading response- Hauser
In “Origins of the Mind”, Marc Hauser suggests that the human brain posses four traits that separate us from the rest of the animal kingdom. Hauser postulates that the human brain in uniquely capable of generative computation, promiscuous combination of ideas, use of symbols, and abstract thought.
As I read through the examples that Hauser presented for each trait, it was easy for me to understand the concepts of symbols and abstract thought. However, it was much more difficult to understand recursive thinking, combinatorial thinking, and promiscuous combination of ideas. I understand recursive thinking to be the use sequence and repetition to create new meanings. Quantum Physicists believe that there are an infinite amount of outcomes that can come of something that is performed infinitely. If an action is repeated an infinite amount of times, new meaning may eventually come of it. To me, this is recursive thinking at its best. Combinatorial thinking refers to the combinations of ideas to create new meanings. The German language, for example, uses compound words made up of smaller words that may hold different meanings once taken out of context.
I found Hauser’s paragraph on the promiscuous combination of ideas to be unsatisfactory. The way it was worded was confusing and hard to grasp. However, I understood the concept to be the combination of ideas from different aspects of our culture. Hauser refers to these aspects as “domains of knowledge”. This is easily explained with food culture. We take aspects of art and promiscuously combine artistic beauty with cuisine. We alone create beautiful cakes and artfully arranged platters.
Hauser’s concepts of symbols and abstract thought were mostly self-explanatory. Humans alone use written word, pictures and numbers to create meaning. We also conjure up notions of monsters, deities and myths.
All in all, I agree with many of Hauser’s notions and beliefs. This is not to say that I believe that these four traits are the only traits that separate us from other animals. However, Hauser’s ideas are presented in a way that is mostly understandable and easy to conceptualize. I’d be interested to see what else Mr. Hauser has to say about the individuality of the human mind.
Elena H.
As I read through the examples that Hauser presented for each trait, it was easy for me to understand the concepts of symbols and abstract thought. However, it was much more difficult to understand recursive thinking, combinatorial thinking, and promiscuous combination of ideas. I understand recursive thinking to be the use sequence and repetition to create new meanings. Quantum Physicists believe that there are an infinite amount of outcomes that can come of something that is performed infinitely. If an action is repeated an infinite amount of times, new meaning may eventually come of it. To me, this is recursive thinking at its best. Combinatorial thinking refers to the combinations of ideas to create new meanings. The German language, for example, uses compound words made up of smaller words that may hold different meanings once taken out of context.
I found Hauser’s paragraph on the promiscuous combination of ideas to be unsatisfactory. The way it was worded was confusing and hard to grasp. However, I understood the concept to be the combination of ideas from different aspects of our culture. Hauser refers to these aspects as “domains of knowledge”. This is easily explained with food culture. We take aspects of art and promiscuously combine artistic beauty with cuisine. We alone create beautiful cakes and artfully arranged platters.
Hauser’s concepts of symbols and abstract thought were mostly self-explanatory. Humans alone use written word, pictures and numbers to create meaning. We also conjure up notions of monsters, deities and myths.
All in all, I agree with many of Hauser’s notions and beliefs. This is not to say that I believe that these four traits are the only traits that separate us from other animals. However, Hauser’s ideas are presented in a way that is mostly understandable and easy to conceptualize. I’d be interested to see what else Mr. Hauser has to say about the individuality of the human mind.
Elena H.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
q
On "An Elephant Crackup?" by Charles Siebert
It verified what I already knew which is that animals are a lot smarter than most people give them credit for. This story confirmed that animals, especially elephants do communicate sophisticatedly, have incredible memories and can and will defend themselves when needed. Possibly as smart as humans? Second thing it verified is that there are too many people in the world and we need NOT exploit animals for our entertainment.
On "Origin of the Mind" by Marc Hauser
Marc Hauser has an entirely different point of view. His theory and those he references in his article believes that animals are not as intelligent as humans and that we are further up the evolutionary scale than they. I don't know. In this class we seem to be leaning toward the school of thought that humans are the most intelligent creatures. With the material we've read so far I am starting to have a broader point of view on human intelligence, one of which I had when I was a younger child. That is when I was younger I believed that we are the most intelligent beings, however when I got older and more mature and started believing in the possibility of evolution etc. and watching more nature television I came to discover that animals have incredible intelligence. Now I'm just confused! Who is more intelligent? What is intelligence? Who says so?
On "On Questions of Temperment" Demonic Males by Dale Peterson and Richard Wrangham give damning evidence against men. Whether it is inherent or learned or evolution is anybodies guess. But, Wow, 2 men wrote this? I have to admit more men have made messes of countries in modern days than women. Vote women into office...
On "Are We Born Moral?" by John Gray. He referenced a previous author's observation that primates don't like inequities in food distribution. I suppose in humans greed and generosity depend on your family size. Primates live in huge extended "family" units. I grew up with 6 brothers and sisters. We were expected by our parents et el to share. Furthermore sometimes you'd get your brains beat in if you didn't!
So, what am I learning? I'm not sure really. I thought I was well rounded but I am introduced to lots of new thoughts and I feel a bit lost, more so than in any other schooling environment. Bill Thompson.
It verified what I already knew which is that animals are a lot smarter than most people give them credit for. This story confirmed that animals, especially elephants do communicate sophisticatedly, have incredible memories and can and will defend themselves when needed. Possibly as smart as humans? Second thing it verified is that there are too many people in the world and we need NOT exploit animals for our entertainment.
On "Origin of the Mind" by Marc Hauser
Marc Hauser has an entirely different point of view. His theory and those he references in his article believes that animals are not as intelligent as humans and that we are further up the evolutionary scale than they. I don't know. In this class we seem to be leaning toward the school of thought that humans are the most intelligent creatures. With the material we've read so far I am starting to have a broader point of view on human intelligence, one of which I had when I was a younger child. That is when I was younger I believed that we are the most intelligent beings, however when I got older and more mature and started believing in the possibility of evolution etc. and watching more nature television I came to discover that animals have incredible intelligence. Now I'm just confused! Who is more intelligent? What is intelligence? Who says so?
On "On Questions of Temperment" Demonic Males by Dale Peterson and Richard Wrangham give damning evidence against men. Whether it is inherent or learned or evolution is anybodies guess. But, Wow, 2 men wrote this? I have to admit more men have made messes of countries in modern days than women. Vote women into office...
On "Are We Born Moral?" by John Gray. He referenced a previous author's observation that primates don't like inequities in food distribution. I suppose in humans greed and generosity depend on your family size. Primates live in huge extended "family" units. I grew up with 6 brothers and sisters. We were expected by our parents et el to share. Furthermore sometimes you'd get your brains beat in if you didn't!
So, what am I learning? I'm not sure really. I thought I was well rounded but I am introduced to lots of new thoughts and I feel a bit lost, more so than in any other schooling environment. Bill Thompson.
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