Sinha, Anindya
(2003)
Cognitive Ethology: A Behavioural Lens into the Primate Mind.
In:
Lectures on Recent Trends in Ethology and Behavioural Sciences.
Department of Zoology, Christ College, Irinjalakuda, pp. 18-28.
| Abstract: |
Empirical studies on the cognitive abilities of nonhuman primates and their underlying
mechanisms developed primarily because we assume that their intelligence and, if one may
use the term, minds are most like our own. Through our understanding of them, we would
possibly one day understand what it is like to be essentially human. However, this view that
they are most like us also coexists in our minds with the equally pervasive idea that
nonhuman primates differ fundamentally from us because they lack sophisticated language,
and may, thus, also lack some of the capacities necessary for reasoning and abstract
thought. Given the recent developments in our understanding of the cognitive abilities of
many primates, including the possible existence of rudimentary semantic communication in
some species, nevertheless, comparative studies on primate taxa may yet throw light on the
nature and evolution of different human cognitive abilities, including that holy grail of current
cognitive research â consciousness. |
| Item Type: |
Book Chapter
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| Subjects: |
School of Natural and Engineering Sciences > Animal Behaviour |
| Date Deposited: |
19 May 2006 |
| Last Modified: |
07 Jul 2007 15:44 |
| Official URL: |
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| Related URLs: |
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| Funders: |
UNSPECIFIED |
| Projects: |
UNSPECIFIED |
| DOI: |
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| URI: |
http://eprints.nias.res.in/id/eprint/61 |
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