In this paper the specific selective pressures which did lead to the evolution of a Theory of Mind in humans are outlined. They are discussed the biological function and phylogeny of human intellect and the functional reasons that let human primates have a social intelligence. The capacity for mentalization did give a support to all the systems (cooperative, competitive, sexual, parental) that made survival and reproductive success possible. Nevertheless it is argumented in favor of the hypothesis that theory of mind evolved since it was functional mainly to a sensitive caregiving by mothers. A theory of mind is present in non-human primates and other species as well and it is well expressed, for example, by their tactical deception. Furthermore also in other species it evolved since it contributed to reproductive success. Nevertheless in other animals the situations where it turned to be adaptive are very few and not as complex as those ones that maximize humans’ inclusive fitness. Key words: Theory of mind, biological function, phylogeny, human and non-human primates, tactical deception
In questo lavoro vengono individuate le pressioni specifiche che hanno portato all’emergere nei primati umani di una teoria della mente. Se ne prendono in considerazione la funzione biologica e la filogenesi e si discutono le ragioni per le quali la nostra intelligenza si configura eminentemente come sociale. La mentalizzazione era funzionale alla replicazione genica attraverso tutti i molteplici sistemi che regolano la nostra vita, quello competitivo, cooperativo, sessuale, quello legato all’accudimento e protezione della prole e si argomenta a favore dell’ ipotesi che essa si sia evoluta essenzialmente in quanto necessaria ad un sensitive caregiving da parte delle madri. Anche gli altri primati hanno una teoria della mente; la risoluzione dei compiti di falsa credenza, che emerge al meglio nell’imbroglio tattico, è presente perfino in animali “non sociali”; e anche nelle altre specie la sua evoluzione è legata alle situazioni per le quali si é rivelata adattativa, le quali sono tuttavia poche e non così complesse come quelle che massimizzano il successo riproduttivo dei primati umani.
L'evoluzione della teoria della mente / Attili, Grazia. - In: RIVISTA INTERNAZIONALE DI FILOSOFIA E PSICOLOGIA. - ISSN 2039-4667. - STAMPA. - (In corso di stampa).
L'evoluzione della teoria della mente
ATTILI, Grazia
In corso di stampa
Abstract
In this paper the specific selective pressures which did lead to the evolution of a Theory of Mind in humans are outlined. They are discussed the biological function and phylogeny of human intellect and the functional reasons that let human primates have a social intelligence. The capacity for mentalization did give a support to all the systems (cooperative, competitive, sexual, parental) that made survival and reproductive success possible. Nevertheless it is argumented in favor of the hypothesis that theory of mind evolved since it was functional mainly to a sensitive caregiving by mothers. A theory of mind is present in non-human primates and other species as well and it is well expressed, for example, by their tactical deception. Furthermore also in other species it evolved since it contributed to reproductive success. Nevertheless in other animals the situations where it turned to be adaptive are very few and not as complex as those ones that maximize humans’ inclusive fitness. Key words: Theory of mind, biological function, phylogeny, human and non-human primates, tactical deceptionI documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.