Causal Cognition, Force Dynamics and Early Hunting Technologies

Frontiers in Psychology
Peter Gärdenfors, Marlize Lombard

Abstract

With this contribution we analyze ancient hunting technologies as one way to explore the development of causal cognition in the hominin lineage. Building on earlier work, we separate seven grades of causal thinking. By looking at variations in force dynamics as a central element in causal cognition, we analyze the thinking required for different hunting technologies such as stabbing spears, throwing spears, launching atlatl darts, shooting arrows with a bow, and the use of poisoned arrows. Our interpretation demonstrates that there is an interplay between the extension of human body through technology and expanding our cognitive abilities to reason about causes. It adds content and dimension to the trend of including embodied cognition in evolutionary studies and in the interpretation of the archeological record. Our method could explain variation in technology sets between archaic and modern human groups.

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May 11, 2017·Journal of Anthropological Sciences = Rivista Di Antropologia : JASS·Marlize Lombard, Peter Gärdenfors

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Citations

Aug 11, 2020·The Behavioral and Brain Sciences·Peter GärdenforsMarlize Lombard
May 7, 2020·Frontiers in Psychology·Peter Gärdenfors
Oct 17, 2019·Evolutionary Anthropology·Cesar Fortes-LimaCarina Schlebusch

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