Hauser Evolution

I found that Hauser's article called "Origin of the Minds" was very interesting because it mentions how the shuman mind works differently than that of the chimpanzee by "degree and not of kind." He states that researchers have noted that cognition in some species are blocked but as for humans we are able to use that in our lives to do several things. Hauser then goes to name four traits that humans can show through out human lineage: (1) generative computation, which then can be sub categorized into two others: recursion and combinatorial, (2) promiscuous combination, (3) mental symbols, and (4) abstract thought. The ones that seemed more interesting and important to me were the use of mental symbols and abstract thought. The use of mental symbols can encode sensory experiences (both real and imaginative) forming the base of a rich and complex system. It then can be expressed to others through words or pictures. We humans use this constantly in language such as poetry and art and music. Now, abstract thought lets us contemplate things beyond what we can see, hear, touch, taste or smell. Unlike animal thoughts, which are largely anchored on sensory and perceptual experience, many of our thoughts have no such connections. We tend to think about whats beyond the universe (imaginative ideas) using words, art and language.We also tend to figure away around difficulties that tend to show up in our way to communicate.