Date of Award
8-2006
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
Department
Philosophy
Supervisor
Barry Allen
Language
English
Abstract
In my thesis I argue against the four primary commitments of Evolutionary Psychology 1) Adaptationism, 2) Nativism, 3) Modularity, and 4) Computationalism.
In the second half of my thesis, I present an alternative view. I argue that many aspects of human cognition that Evolutionary Psychology take to be adaptations, are in fact spandrels, or by products of adaptation. Facts about human developmental neurobiology put further strain on the first three theses. I reconceptualize human cognition as a decoupled use of artifacts. I claim that this makes better sense of the phylogenie difference between humans and chimpanzees.
Recommended Citation
Doxtdator, Benjamin, "Making Cognition: Towards an Evolutionary Philosophy of Human Cognition" (2006). Open Access Dissertations and Theses. Paper 5735.
http://digitalcommons.mcmaster.ca/opendissertations/5735
McMaster University Library