Chimpanzee mind reading

Don't stop believing

Dados Bibliográficos

ID4079769
AutoresKristin Andrews (0000-0003-3482-0173, York University, autor correspondente)
Ano2017
Volume12
Fascículo1
Data de publicação2017-01-01
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoPhilosophy Compass (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 1747-9991 • E-ISSN: 1747-9991
EditoraWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/phc3.12394
OpenAlexW2576567275
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas3
Referências citadas75

Since the question "Do chimpanzees have a theory of mind?" was raised in 1978, scientists have attempted to answer it, and philosophers have attempted to clarify what the question means and whether it has been, or could be, answered. Mindreading (a term used mostly by philosophers) or theory of mind (a term preferred by scientists) refers to the ability to attribute mental states to other individuals. Some versions of the question focus on whether chimpanzees engage in belief reasoning or can think about false belief, and chimpanzees have been given nonverbal versions of the false belief moved-object task (also known as the Sally-Anne task). Other versions of the question focus on whether chimpanzees understand what others can see, and chimpanzees can pass those tests. From this data, some claim that chimpanzees know something about perceptions, but nothing about belief. Others claim that chimpanzees do not understand belief or perceptions, because the data fails to overcome the "logical problem," and permits an alternative, non-mentalistic interpretation. I will argue that neither view is warranted. Belief reasoning in chimpanzees has focused on examining false belief in a moved object scenario, but has largely ignored other functions of belief. The first part of the paper is an argument for how to best understand belief reasoning and offers suggestion for future investigation. The second part of the paper addresses and diffuses the "logical problem." I conclude that chimpanzees may reason about belief, but that there is already compelling evidence that they reason about perceptions

Cognition · Cognitive psychology · Epistemology · False belief · Nothing · Perception · Theory of mind · Child and Animal Learning Development · Computer Science · Cultural Differences and Values · Philosophy · Psychology · Psychology of Moral and Emotional Judgment · Social Psychology · Artificial Intelligence